FOOD AND FUEL FLOW INTO GAZA

Ten trucks of Jordan-provided foodstuffs enter Gaza through Israel (Haaretz )
Ten truckloads of full of basic foodstuffs, provided by King Abdullah II of Jordan, entered the Gaza Strip on Thursday through the Kerem Shalom crossing. The shipment, which was coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces, included 30 tons of margarine, 33 tons of lentils, 34 tons of noodles, 20 tons of beans, and 15 tons of garbanzo beans.

The IDF said over 400 tons of food and 200,000 liters of fuel were brought into the Gaza Strip from Israel on Thursday. In addition, the IDF said, eight Palestinians in need of medical treatment were transferred to hospitals in Israel, and some 100 dual citizens were evacuated from the Strip.

According to a security source, despite warnings of starvation among the Palestinian population, a shortage of foodstuffs is not expected in the near future, due to the fact that until Hamas' takeover large quantities of food were brought into the Strip through the Karni crossing.

The source said that local merchants tend to provide false reports of shortages during times of crisis in order to raise prices.

Meanwhile, the Customs Authority issued new orders Thursday, saying that medical equipment, food and other vital goods would be released if its importers proved they were needed for humanitarian aims.

"In addition, a release can be filed under the name of a Gaza Strip importer if the cargo is immediately transferred to storage or shops in Judea and Samaria," customs official Reuven Meltzer said in a letter obtained by Reuters.