Time running out to get aid into Gaza ‘hellhole’ – UN

A bomb-damaged Rafah crossing into Gaza is stopping crucial aid from reaching the Gazian people, as Egyptian diggers work to repair the road. 

There are 20 aid lorries waiting to enter Gaza. If the road can be fixed, aid could get in today. However, sources are saying the aid could be delayed until the weekend due to the damage on the road. 

Gaza remains under siege with Israel blocking supplies of water, electricity, food and fuel across its border. An agreement to allow aid into Gaza via the Egypt border brought some hope to the battered area, but despite it being agreed on Wednesday – there is still no aid going into the area.

The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees says the territory is now a “hellhole” and time is running out to get aid to desperate civilians. 

PM Rishi Sunak will attend talks in Egypt later as fears grow that the conflict could spread. 

Sunak promised to stand with Israel as he visited Jerusalem on Thursday and urged Saudi Arabia to support stability in a trip to Riyadh.

Palestinian officials say more than 3,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October and killed more than 1,400 people. 

It’s believed the Israeli ground offensive will soon start as PM Sunak and US President Joe Biden have both left the area. 

Elsewhere, in a TV speech to his country, US President Joe Biden said he would ask Congress for billions of dollars in military funding for Israel and Ukraine.