In response to the escalating crisis in Gaza, Pakistan has taken immediate action to dispatch humanitarian relief assistance, aiming to alleviate the suffering of the besieged Palestinian population.
The announcement came on Monday from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, amidst continuous airstrikes by Israel on the densely populated enclave.
The decision to send aid was prompted by a dire warning from the World Health Organization, indicating that Gaza had only “24 hours of water, electricity, and fuel left” before a potential catastrophe unfolds.
The humanitarian assistance from across the world has already been stranded at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt due to the Israeli siege on Gaza City and relentless bombing, initiated following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
“In the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of the Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of densely-populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a news statement.
“In view of the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza, the Government of Pakistan has decided to immediately dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian brothers and sisters,” it added.
The MoFA said the government was coordinating with the Government of Egypt, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, relevant UN agencies, and Pakistan Missions abroad to finalize modalities of delivery.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, held discussions with his Iranian counterpart regarding Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Both ministers agreed on “urgent steps” to provide humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinians. Jilani emphasized the necessity of taking swift action to prevent the conflict from escalating further and to ensure the immediate provision of aid.
He posted that information in a post on X former Twitter.
The situation in Gaza has grown increasingly desperate, with millions of Palestinians trapped in the heavily bombarded enclave, facing severe shortages of food and water. Despite the mounting crisis, Israel announced on Monday that there would be no temporary truce to allow aid into the Gaza Strip.
The conflict began on October 7 when waves of fighters from Hamas breached the heavily fortified border. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to a devastating bombing campaign in Gaza. The airstrikes have resulted in the destruction of neighborhoods and a tragic loss of life, with at least 2,750 people killed, the majority of whom are civilians.
