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Wednesday, October 28, 2026Oct 28

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‘Drop in the ocean’: UN-backed aid could soon enter Gaza from Egypt, but only at a trickle for now

Humanitarian aid convoy for the Gaza Strip is parked in Arish, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel. (AP Photo/Omar Aziz)
Humanitarian aid convoy for the Gaza Strip is parked in Arish, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel. (AP Photo/Omar Aziz) Humanitarian aid convoy for the Gaza Strip is parked in Arish, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel. (AP Photo/Omar Aziz)

CAIRO (AP) — President Joe Biden says he struck a deal with his Egyptian counterpart to allow a first run of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, which Israel sealed off after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

Israel says it’s now ready to honor Biden’s request to let in limited humanitarian aid.

The Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations are expected to help oversee the operation, in part to ensure the supplies from the convoy through the Rafah Crossing on Egypt’s border with Gaza reaches civilians — not combatants.

Officials at the U.N. health agency say they’re “praying” the first tranche will go in on Friday.

Here’s a look at what could be expected to go in, and how.