Shillong, November 19: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has confirmed the dispatch of India’s second aid shipment to Palestine, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to providing humanitarian assistance.
As per India Today, the second delivery, comprising 32 tonnes of aid, is transported via the Indian Air Force C17 aircraft to El-Arish Airport in Egypt. This follows the initial aid sent on October 22, including medical and disaster relief.
El-Arish Airport, situated approximately 45 kilometers from the Rafah crossing on Egypt’s border with the Gaza Strip, serves as a crucial point for the aid’s entry. Currently, Rafah is the sole operational crossing for humanitarian aid into Gaza, although its full functionality has been hindered since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted.
In response to the October 7 actions by Hamas, where 1,200 people were reportedly killed and 240 taken hostage, Israel pledged to dismantle the group. As the conflict persists into its seventh week, Gaza authorities, under Hamas rule, claim a death toll of 12,300, including 5,000 children.
Israel, citing the need to expand its offensive against Hamas militants, particularly in southern Gaza, intensified air strikes, resulting in casualties, including civilians seeking refuge in two schools.