India Sends Second Batch of Aid to Gaza Amid Escalating Israel-Hamas War
India continues to extend its humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies. The country sent a second batch of aid on Sunday, demonstrating its commitment to alleviating the suffering caused by the ongoing war. The external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, announced this development on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), stating that India remains dedicated to delivering crucial assistance to the people of Palestine.
The aid was transported via the Indian Air Force’s C17 aircraft, carrying a total of 32 tonnes of relief supplies. It departed for the El-Arish Airport in Egypt, which is approximately 45 kilometers away from the Rafah crossing on Egypt’s border with Gaza. Notably, Rafah serves as the sole crossing point for any humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip.
This recent aid shipment follows India’s previous assistance sent on October 22. The first batch consisted of approximately 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief materials. It included life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, and water purification tablets, among other essential supplies crucial for the Palestinians enduring the consequences of the conflict.
The war between Israel and Hamas has been raging for seven weeks, prompting Israel to escalate its retaliatory strikes on Gaza. Over 12,000 lives have tragically been lost since the hostilities started. Amidst this grim reality, Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, has been struggling to operate in full capacity due to power cuts caused by fuel shortages. This dire situation has led to numerous deaths within the hospital premises.
In a recent development, Israel ordered an immediate evacuation of the hospital after claiming to have discovered a Hamas tunnel shaft and a vehicle with weapons inside the complex. Although some patients were moved to safety, a United Nations team reported that around 291 patients, including 32 critically ill infants, have been left at the hospital amidst these challenging circumstances.
As the conflict continues, the situation in Gaza remains desperate. International organizations such as the World Health Organization are working tirelessly to assess and assist in addressing the healthcare crisis in the region. Meanwhile, nations like India are stepping up to provide aid and support to the vulnerable population affected by the conflict.
India’s continuous efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance once again reflect the nation’s commitment to supporting those in need during times of crisis. As the conflict persists, it is crucial for global solidarity and cooperation to alleviate the immense suffering endured by the people of Gaza and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas war.
