Israel vows to 'take control' of Gaza as first aid trucks enter after two-month blockade

Israel said Monday it will "take control" of the whole of Gaza, where aid entered for the first time in more than two months as rescuers reported dozens killed in a newly intensified offensive.

Twenty-two nations, including Australia, Britain, France and Germany, on Monday demanded that Israel immediately "allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza" after the partial lifting of its blockade on the territory.




The joint statement was released as Tom Fletcher, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said in a statement that nine trucks had been "cleared to enter... but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed."

With the Gaza Strip under a total Israeli blockade since March 2, the World Health Organization said the besieged territory's "two million people are starving".

Israel, facing mounting criticism, has announced it would let limited aid into Gaza and said the first five trucks entered Monday, carrying supplies "including food for babies".