Aid flows to Gaza surged on Sunday, with more than 630 trucks entering the impoverished and hungry enclave on the first day of a ceasefire, according to United Nations officials – the highest since the war began. 15 months ago.

The deal allowed the UN World Food Program to “bring in urgently needed food aid and start rebuilding the war-ravaged region,” the organization said. words during the week. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s chief aid officer, said words On Monday, more than 300 vehicles went to northern Gaza, where aid was badly needed and humanitarian officials. warned of possible famine.

During the war, less than Up to 100 cars a day were coming in, and pickups were done sometimes has been suspended. Aid organizations have criticized Israel for strict restrictions on shipments and heavy checks and border closures, which Israel has denied, saying at least 200 trucks a day are supposed to deliver food, medicine, fuel, clean water and other essentials.

As the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas takes effect, aid groups appear to be entering Gaza without difficulty, and without any attempts. stealing or looting The aid was announced on Sunday or Monday, according to Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for the main UN agency that helps the Palestinian people. He added that local police were present in some parts of Gaza to protect traffic, while in other places security was not needed.

Uniformed police and armed fighters, who were not seen in public during the war, appeared in Gaza’s cities and towns after the fighting stopped. It was a clear demonstration by Hamas, which has ruled the area for years, that it is still in charge and plans to rule.

Videos posted on social media showed people walking through Gaza on Sunday, as people gathered calmly in the streets, staying away from vehicles. It was very different from the apocalyptic events of aid contributions during wartimewhen desperate people crowded into the cars hoping to get a packet of food or a bag of flour, sometimes leading to violence.

“What was clear was that none of the vehicles that entered yesterday were stolen,” said Nebal Farsakh, a spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent. “And this is the first time in 15 months that so many vehicles have entered Gaza,” he added.

What was not clear was how the aid was being distributed effectively and efficiently after it entered Gaza, and some people said they had not yet received or seen the aid. Mrs. Touma said UNRWA staff and helpers from other organizations are still processing the aid that has arrived since Sunday before it is distributed to the people.

“It’s the second day of the ceasefire and they said aid and powder have come but unfortunately we haven’t seen it,” said Moustafa al-Aloul, 22, from northern Gaza. “Right now, the markets are empty,” he added.

Gazan’s Ministry of Development, which is part of the Hamas-led coalition, said on Monday it had “prepared everything to receive aid” and had issued all necessary permits for aid agencies to receive and distribute the aid. “Work will be carried out in cooperation between all stakeholders to ensure that assistance is distributed fairly to all citizens,” the ministry said, adding that assistance will be provided to families inside and outside shelters and tent camps.

Israeli officials have accused Hamas of hoarding supplies needed to support its members and control the population, and there have been reports of profits being made by seizing aid and selling it on the black market. Aid officials say the solution to the problem is to eliminate shortages.

Mrs. Touma said that the trips that enter Gaza include trucks carrying goods for sale, which rarely reach Gaza during the war.

“There were a number of things that people took for granted that were sorely lacking in the market,” Ms. Touma said in an interview Monday. “That’s why it’s very good that the commercial situation is back because you can’t turn two million people in Gaza into a country that depends on aid,” he added.

The World Food Program reported that on Sunday it handed out ready-to-eat food and bags of wheat flour. The goal is to send at least 150 meals a day to Gaza, along with other supplies, as well as stock up on bakeries and provide nutritious meals to children who are suffering from malnutrition.

Ameera Harouda contributed reports from Qatar, Matthew Mpoke Bigg in London and Vivian No in Cairo.