Pakistan’s third batch of humanitarian aid to Gaza arrives in Egypt

A special military aircraft from Pakistan arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt, carrying 20 tonnes of crucial humanitarian assistance and medical aid for the people of Gaza on Tuesday.

Officials from the Embassy of Pakistan in Egypt facilitated the handover of the aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, which will be responsible for its onward delivery to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza.

This initiative is part of Pakistan's ongoing commitment to providing much-needed relief to the brotherly people of Gaza.

This recent delivery adds to Pakistan's contribution, surpassing 200 tonnes of humanitarian and medical assistance to the people of Gaza.

In his remarks at the send-off ceremony, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani termed the consignment as a token of solidarity with the Palestinian brothers and sisters on the first morning of the new calendar year.

Reiterating Pakistan’s support to the Palestinian people in their legitimate and valiant struggle for their right to self-determination, the foreign minister underlined the urgency of a ceasefire and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of occupied Gaza facing brutal Israeli aggression.

The Palestinian ambassador present at the ceremony, thanked the government and people of Pakistan for continuous support especially the significant gesture of marking the New Year by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Gaza has been facing a relentless offensive from Israeli forces since October 7 due to an unprecedented operation by Hamas in Israel that Israel says killed 1,200 people.

Read also: FO expresses concern over Gaza, condemns Israel's brutality

Israel says the war in Gaza, which has reduced much of the territory to rubble, killing at least 22,000 Palestinians and plunging its 2.3 million people into a humanitarian disaster, has many months to go.

The Foreign Office (FO) last month expressed profound concern over the atrocities in the besieged Palestine enclave of Gaza and strongly condemned Israel’s brutality against innocent Palestinians.

The FO urged Israel to fulfil its obligations according to the 4th Geneva Convention and cease its devastating actions in Gaza, referring to the ongoing situation as a "tragedy of epic proportions."

Additionally, the FO has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to fulfil its responsibility in maintaining peace. It specifically requests an urgent and unconditional ceasefire, the lifting of the siege, and the prompt initiation of unimpeded humanitarian assistance.