Israel has reduced the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza each day from 600 to 300. The ceasefire and hostage exchange require Israel to allow 600 trucks into Gaza each day, the minimum number the UN says is needed to feed the Palestinians.
On Tuesday, Tel Aviv announced it would reduce the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza each day. The Israeli government claimed the move was a response to Hamas not releasing the bodies of deceased hostages fast enough. Hamas and President Donald Trump have said it is difficult to recover the bodies because of the massive destruction in Gaza.
On Wednesday, Axios reporter Barak Revid wrote on X that Israeli sources claimed to have provided the US with intelligence showing that Hamas is not making an effort to recover the bodies. “We don’t see Hamas making maximum effort regarding the bodies. We know they can do more, and we don’t think anybody should give them any discounts,” aמ Israeli official told Ravid.
Israel gave the U.S. new intelligence that shows Hamas has access to more of the bodies than it claims
“We don’t see Hamas making maximum effort regarding the bodies. We know they can do more & we don’t think anybody should give them any discounts,” aמ Israeli official said https://t.co/b3ygLlkIQ2— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 15, 2025
The Trump administration has disputed this narrative, saying Hamas is making an effort to return the deceased hostages and is not violating the ceasefire pact. “It is almost impossible for Hamas to reach all the dead hostages,” one of the advisors said.
שני יועצים בכירים לנשיא טראמפ אמרו בתדרוך לכתבים שהם לא סבורים שחמאס הפר את ההסכם עד כה בכל הנוגע לגופות החטופים. הם אמרו כי בעזה אין ציוד כבד הנדרש למאמצי חיפוש כאלה. “כמעט בלתי אפשרי לחמאס להגיע לכל החטופים המתים”, אמר אחד היועצים https://t.co/2XmXwgS6jR
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 15, 2025
According to the UN tracker on food aid entering Gaza, just over 400 aid trucks had reached distribution points in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on Friday. Al Jazeera reports that some of the trucks Israel allows in are carrying commercial goods that are unaffordable for most Palestinians.
Additionally, truck drivers complained that the Israeli inspection process was taking longer than expected.
The US is establishing a multi-national command center outside of Gaza to monitor the ceasefire and aid deliveries to the Strip.
At the start of the Israeli onslaught in Gaza, aid agencies said 600 aid trucks entering Gaza a day was the minimum required amount to sustain the population. An Al-Jazeera reporter noted that the amount was no longer sufficient to feed Gaza.
