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Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, truce extended by two days
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Increased aid deliveries to Gaza, which have been enabled by the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, should become a “new normal,” the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) director said Tuesday.
Samantha Power, director of USAID, told CNN it’s “critical” that stepped-up aid deliveries continue.
“It’s absolutely critical and that is why we are seeking, with our international partners, to take full advantage of this pause, but also to make sure that the flow of trucks and supplies continues, that this becomes a new normal,” she said.
Power estimated that 240 trucks per day have entered Gaza since the pause in fighting began on Friday.
She said her goal is to increase that number with a particular focus on bringing in more fuel and winter supplies as the weather gets colder, while also aiming to restart the commercial flow of goods.
“We need to supplement humanitarian supplies with commercial supplies. That is by far the most important next phase of the supply issue,” Power said. “It will be ultimately inadequate without commercial traffic as well, accompanying humanitarian traffic.”
When asked how aid groups could ensure the continued flow of humanitarian goods into Gaza if fighting resumes, Power said discussions about access were underway between American and Israeli officials.
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