Storyline: Although Israel announced the easing of its blockade on the Gaza Strip to allow limited aid deliveries, the northern region, including Gaza City, has not received any aid, local residents complained. At a market in Gaza City, Ahmed Aliwa anxiously searched for food he could afford. With 13 members in his extended family, the ongoing conflict and blockade have deprived him of all sources of income, making it extremely difficult to provide for his loved ones. On May 22, four days after Israel announced it would permit the entry of aid supplies, some pastry shops in central and southern Gaza resumed limited operations, distributing pancakes to displaced residents. However, the aid has yet to reach northern Gaza. Analysts said Israel is using the control of aid distribution to compel population movement, effectively implementing a strategy of forced displacement. Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip have also drawn international criticism. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday escalated his country's criticism of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, voicing growing concern over its toll on the civilian population. Speaking at the WDR Europaforum in Berlin, Merz said he "no longer understands" the purpose of Israel's military moves. As civilian casualties mount, these operations can no longer be justified solely as a fight against Hamas, Merz said. Merz emphasized that the German government remains in close dialog with the Israeli government and that he plans to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this week. While reiterating Germany's historical responsibility for Israel, Merz noted that his country must be restrained in giving public advice to Israel. But when red lines are crossed and international humanitarian law is violated, Germany must also speak out, he said. According to a report by Tidningalnas Teleglambyra on Monday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Israel's obstruction of essential emergency aid to the Gaza Strip has exacerbated the local humanitarian crisis. The Swedish Foreign Ministry will summon the Israeli ambassador to lodge a protest. Kristersson said that the European Union ought to impose sanctions and increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the report said. Shotlist: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - May 25, 2025: 1. Various of traffic, pedestrians 2. Various of stalls, people buying vegetables 3. Tomatoes 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed Aliwa, local resident: "Flour here is ridiculously expensive. It costs 60 to 70 shekels (about 16.8 to 19.6 U.S. dollars) per kilogram. Who can afford it?" 5. Various of people making, selling pancake 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moatasem Shallah, local resident: "Why hasn't the aid been sent to northern Gaza yet? They (the Israelis) want us to go to southern Gaza to get aid, but should we travel so far from north to south just for a bag of flour?" 7. Various of tents 8. Damaged buildings. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]