Pakistan dispatches another shipment carrying 97 tons of relief goods for Gaza

Officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Pakistani charity Al-Khidmat Foundation pose for a picture at Jinnah International Airport, in Karachi, Pakistan on September 29, 2024, as Pakistan sends 16th consignment of relief good for Gaza. (NDMA)

• The development comes as death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza rises to 52,567 
• Pakistan has sent a total of 1,615 tons of relief aid for the war-torn Palestinians

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dispatched 97 tons of humanitarian aid for the war-affected people of Gaza, its National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Monday, as Israel voted to scale up the offensive against Hamas in Gaza to the point of seizing the entire enclave.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has reached 52,567, according to Palestinian authorities. In the past 24 hours alone, 32 people were reportedly killed and 119 others injured, bringing the total number of injuries to over 118,600.

Pakistan’s NDMA said the latest shipment, which is the 16th aid consignment for Gaza and the overall 27th sent to the Middle East, was dispatched as part of Pakistan’s ongoing humanitarian efforts.

“The latest consignment, sent in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation, comprises approximately 85 tons of canned food, 10 tons of rice and two tons of powdered milk,” the NDMA said.

“The aid was transported via a chartered flight from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to Amman (Jordon) for onward distribution to the people of Palestine.”

Israel ended its months-long ceasefire with Hamas by launching a surprise bombardment on Mar. 18 and has been carrying out daily waves of strikes since then. Israeli forces have expanded a buffer zone, encircled the southern city of Rafah, and now control around 50 percent of the territory.

Israel has also sealed off the territory’s two million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, for nearly 60 days. Aid groups say supplies will soon run out and that thousands of children are malnourished.

Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, has consistently condemned Israeli military actions and called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territory.

The South Asian country has dispatched a total of 1,615 tons of relief aid exclusively for Palestine, according to the NDMA. Overall, Pakistan has sent 2,142 tons of humanitarian aid, including 416 tons for Lebanon and 111 tons for Syria.

“The Government of Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to standing with the people of Palestine and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance based on the evolving needs of those affected by the ongoing crisis,” the authority said.