Aid supplies have arrived in the Gaza Strip, where people are suffering acute water and food shortages amid the fighting between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas.

But concerns are growing that the humanitarian crisis could worsen, as Israeli military officials have suggested a ground offensive of Gaza is close at hand.

A convoy of 20 trucks entered Gaza from Egypt on Saturday. Officials in Gaza released a statement saying that a limited number of aid trucks cannot alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.

United Nations officials say 100 truckloads of supplies are needed each day to help people in Gaza.
Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General responsible for Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the Reuters news agency that as negotiations continue, he heard that another 20 to 30 trucks might enter Gaza on Sunday.

The dire situation presents serious challenges over how sufficient amounts of supplies can be brought in and distributed among residents of Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Fierce air strikes continued in Gaza on Saturday.

The Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi visited troops deployed near Gaza. He suggested a ground invasion of Gaza is imminent.

Halevi said Israeli forces will enter the Gaza Strip on a mission to destroy Hamas operatives and infrastructure.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military also suggested major operations will soon be launched, including a ground invasion of Gaza.

The spokesperson said that in preparation for the next stage of the conflict Israel plans to increase its attacks on the Hamas stronghold in northern Gaza.

In retaliation, Hamas has launched rockets at Tel Aviv in central Israel.

Since the fighting started on October 7, at least 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, with 210 people including foreigners, taken hostage.

At least 4,385 people have also been killed in Gaza. The latest figures have brought the total death toll on both sides to more than 5,700.