Smoke billows during a Israeli strike on Gaza on October 23, 2023 (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Tamara Alrifai, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said the trucks that have come in so far are just a trickle compared to the immense need of the 2.3 million people in Gaza. Dr Rick Brennan, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region said one-third of the hospitals and two-thirds of the clinics in the Gaza Strip are now non-functional at a time when the medical burden is enormous.

Analysts say the escalating Middle East conflict could create new challenges to the global economy, including record high oil prices, soaring inflation, and slowing growth.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike targets in northern Gaza , as the fighting between Israel and Hamas entered its eighteenth day. According to an IDF statement, over 400 Hamas targets have been struck in Gaza. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 5,800 people have been killed and 16,000 have been injured since Israel began attacking Gaza on October 7. Another 1,500 people were buried in the rubble created by airstrikes.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Israel on Tuesday to express France's "full solidarity" with Israel against Hamas. According to a statement from his office, Macron intends to press for the release of hostages being held by Hamas and call for the resumption of a "genuine peace process" between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

At a press conference on the sideline of the UN Security Council meeting in New York, Arab foreign ministers called on Israel to end its attacks on Gaza strip and create conditions for resuming negotiations to restore peace in the region.