Thousands escaped Eastern Ghouta into Syrian regime-held territory on Thursday, in the largest numbers since the blistering assault of Bashar Assad’s forces on the besieged enclave began last month. Syrians carrying blankets, bags and suitcases were seen fleeing on foot, in cars and on motorcycles via the town of Hammouriyeh, where the Syrian forces had opened a corridor after a late-night advance. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said aroun 7,000 people had left Hammouriyeh towards positions held by advancing regime forces, which have splintered eastern Ghouta into three separate pockets. Earlier this week, scores of sick and wounded people were evacuated from eastern Ghouta. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 25 aid trucks entered its northern pocket, controlled by rebel faction Jaish al-Islam, and was headed to the town of Douma. ICRC spokeswoman Iolanda Jaquemet said the convoy, which entered through the al-Wafideen crossing, contained enough food aid for 26,100 people for one month, among other items. The convoy contained 5,220 ICRC food parcels and 5,220 World Food Programme flour bags, Jaquemet said. A parcel can feed a family of five for one month. ICRC said its president "Peter Maurer is travelling with the convoy to see first-hand the process of delivering the assistance and to talk with residents". "Over the last seven years the fighting has extracted an immensely painful human toll. We must find a way to lessen the suffering," Maurer said in the statement. "There are three crucial issues to improve: humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the humane treatment of detainees," he said. The Observatory said overnight dozens of air strikes and shelling hit eastern Ghoutas southern pocket. Moscow stressed it was committed to helping the regime "finish off" rebels in Eastern Ghouta, confirming its military is playing a role in the assault. Russia has provided few details of its involvement in the offensive on Ghouta but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov left no doubt Moscows forces were taking an active part.  "We will continue fighting terrorists, we will finish them off, we will help finish them off in Eastern Ghouta, where the Syrian army is now conducting operations with our support," he said.