Germany announces around $55.5 million in Gaza aid, condemns Israeli actions

Germany has pledged  around $55 millio in humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, as Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, currently in Jordan, condemned Israeli actions in the region.

This new aid brings Germany's total contributions to Gaza since last year to around $400 million.

Baerbock, speaking alongside Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi, emphasized that the latest funding will focus on addressing hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, and providing health services amidst the destruction caused by Israeli attacks.

In addition to the Gaza aid, Germany is increasing its support for Syrian refugees in Jordan by $14.1 million raising the total German aid to Jordan to arounf $70 million for 2024.

This support includes funding for convoys delivering aid from Jordan to Gaza and an additional $5.5 million to facilitate this access.

Baerbock's visit also includes a stop at a warehouse operated by the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), which distributes aid to Gaza.

Germany has provided $4.4 million to support the JHCO's logistics, including trucks and fuel.

During her visit to Israel, Baerbock is expected to address concerns about actions by Israeli ministers that she argues exacerbate religious tensions and contribute to an already volatile situation.

She has called for an end to provocations at Jerusalem’s holy sites and criticized the Israeli government's handling of the West Bank.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Al-Safadi urged Germany and other international partners to impose sanctions on Israel, asserting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not heed international pressure without concrete consequences.

Israel has continued onslaught on Gaza following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,800 injuries, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

Baerbock's trip also includes discussions in Saudi Arabia, continuing her diplomatic efforts amid escalating regional tensions.