India dispatches second wave of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict
Israel-Hamas conflict: As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies into its seventh week, India has taken a proactive stance by dispatching a second batch of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Gaza Strip. The ongoing war has claimed the lives of over 12,000 people, prompting global concern.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the humanitarian initiative on social media, stating, "India continues to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine." The second batch, transported via an Indian Air Force C17 aircraft, consists of 32 tonnes of aid destined for the El-Arish Airport in Egypt.
We continue to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine.
The strategic choice of El-Arish, located approximately 45km from the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border with Gaza, underscores the importance of providing assistance through the sole humanitarian entry point into the Gaza Strip. Rafah serves as a critical lifeline for delivering aid to the Palestinian population affected by the conflict.
Second @IAF_MCC C17 aircraft carrying 32 tonnes of aid departs for the El-Arish Airport in Egypt. pic.twitter.com/bNJ2EOJPaW — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 19, 2023
India's commitment to alleviating the humanitarian crisis became evident on October 22 when it dispatched the first batch of aid. This initial delivery included approximately 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief materials. The aid encompassed essential medical supplies, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, and water purification tablets, addressing critical needs arising from the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel has escalated its retaliatory strikes on Gaza following the October 7 attack by Hamas, resulting in a significant loss of life. Gaza's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, has faced unprecedented challenges in sustaining operations amid power cuts caused by fuel shortages. The hospital has become a focal point of the conflict, with reports of dozens of casualties due to the challenging conditions.
In a concerning development, Israel ordered the immediate evacuation of Al-Shifa on Saturday, two days after Israeli troops combed the facility for Hamas hideouts. The military claimed to have uncovered a Hamas tunnel shaft and a vehicle with weapons within the hospital complex. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other UN officials led a team to assess the situation, categorizing the hospital as a "death zone."
Despite evacuation efforts, a UN team reported on Sunday that approximately 291 patients, including 32 critically ill infants, remained at the hospital. The precarious situation at Al-Shifa underscores the urgency of international efforts to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
- With inputs from agencies
