United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday hailed Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts to help secure a truce in the Gaza Strip following 15 months of war.

Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the start on Sunday of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as UN humanitarian convoys brought in urgently needed food aid to begin pulling the war-ravaged territory back from starvation.

He said the IRC in Gaza is focused particularly on water and sanitation, child protection and other healthcare.

Speaking at a news conference in Lebanon, Guterres said that while there would not be any "impediments by Israel for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza", that getting the aid into the hands of those in need would not be "easy".

Representatives of many countries to the United States have expressed the hope for a full implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States,

Qatar’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.

The UN says 630 trucks of aid entered Gaza yesterday, as most returning Palestinians find their homes have been reduced to rubble.

UAE affirms the necessity of both parties' adherence to all agreements and obligations to end the anguish of the Palestinian captives and Israeli hostages

Israel’s Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants along with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel

Trump revokes US sanctions as 12 hurt in West Bank attacks by Israeli settlers - Gaza receives 915 trucks carrying aid and goods on day two of ceasefire

Hostage families give update as Palestinians return home to ‘total destruction’ - Freed British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari is in high spirits, her mother said in her first statement since her releas