Bringing aid to 'hell on earth'
Updated on 07 January 2009
There was a lull in the fighting today to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. But the UN representative inside the territory has described conditions there as hell on earth.
For three hours the guns fell silent. The Israeli military laid down weapons from 1pm until 4pm local time, saying it will do so every afternoon for the rest of the conflict.
Aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza at the Kerem Shalom, Karni and Nahal Oz crossings, but the passenger crossing at Erez remained closed to both Palestinians and journalists.
Aid routes to Gaza City were secured by Israeli troops for this period, and Hamas held fire as promised.
Thousands of Palestinians ventured outside to fetch food and supplies during a brief truce to allow in humanitarian aid.
But today's truce was short lived, and clashes resumed the moment it expired.
John Ging, UN Refugee and Works Agency
Alex Thomson talks to John Ging, the director of operations in the Gaza strip for the UN Refugee and Works Agency which deals with Palestianian refugees.
