Humanitarian aid has entered the Gaza Strip for a fourth consecutive day, as Israeli authorities face mounting pressure to ease the catastrophic conditions for Palestinians there. The Israeli military body COGAT said 220 aid trucks crossed into the sealed-off coastal strip on Wednesday and were awaiting distribution.

The local pause in fighting came days after ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas appeared to be in doubt.

The president has in recent days acknowledged there is “starvation” in Gaza, a break with Israeli officials who have faced deep criticism over the humanitarian crisis there.