A day after the announcement of a cease-fire between Israel and the Hamas movement, trucks carrying food aid and medicines are once again rolling into the Gaza Strip through a terminal along its border with Israel and Egypt.
The Kerem Shalom post was temporarily shut down Tuesday after getting affected by rocket fire but was re-opened after the Egypt-brokered deal was announced Nov. 21 (Thursday). Trucks are now able to pass through to a terminal where their load is transferred onto Palestinian trucks that would carry the supplies to Gaza, Reuters says.
Among priority supplies that are being replenished are medicines and other medical items. The World Health Organization, for one, has sent 11 truckloads of medical supplies to help address shortages in Gaza hospitals and health clinics.
A number of countries and international organizations have announced aid pledges to respond to humanitarian needs in Gaza.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said his country would provide €1.5 million ($1.9 million), most likely through the International Committee of the Red Cross. The money will be allocated mainly for emergency treatment needs, the minister said in a statement where he also welcomed the “fact that the ceasefire announced yesterday has been observed so far.”
The OPEC Fund for International Development, a multilateral fund financed by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said it will donate $500,000 to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for the provision of food and medicines to Palestinian communities affected by the conflict.
Algeria has also pledged to donate some 40 tons of medical supplies, surgical materials and food the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, according to local media reports.
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About the author
Ivy Mungcal
As former senior staff writer, Ivy Mungcal contributed to several Devex publications. Her focus is on breaking news, and in particular on global aid reform and trends in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Before joining Devex in 2009, Ivy produced specialized content for U.S. and U.K.-based business websites.
