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Royal Air Force delivers vital aid to Egypt to support
civilians in Gaza, as Foreign and Defence Secretaries
continue diplomatic push.
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Equipment, including forklift trucks and belt conveyors,
delivers on urgent requests by partners on the ground.
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Shipment follows 21 tonnes of essential supplies delivered
last week, and £30 million increase in UK assistance to
Occupied Palestinian Territories.
A second UK flight carrying equipment that will support
humanitarian agencies to deliver lifesaving supplies to Gaza
arrived in Egypt today.
This will be followed by several further flights to deliver 30
tonnes of vital equipment such as forklift trucks, belt conveyors
and lighting towers, which have been specifically requested by UK
partners in the region, including the Egyptian Red Crescent.
The equipment will be set up close to the Rafah border crossing –
increasing the capacity of agencies to manage and deliver
significant quantities of aid to those in Gaza. Rafah is
currently the only entry point for aid into Gaza.
This follows the delivery of 21 tonnes of essential supplies,
including wound care packs and water filters, which arrived in
Egypt last week and was handed over to partner agencies working
on the ground in Gaza.
Defence Secretary said:
With an acute humanitarian crisis unfolding, today’s RAF airlift
demonstrates yet again that the UK is committed to helping all
suffering civilians.
Our armed forces have rapidly deployed to get our partners on the
ground what they urgently need and stand ready to continue
supporting the humanitarian effort.”
The flights follow the UK Government’s £30million
increase in support for the Occupied Palestinian
Territories – more than doubling its original
commitment.
International Development Minister said:
The UK is determined to drive international efforts to ensure
lifesaving aid reaches the people who need it most.
This equipment, specifically requested by our partners on the
ground, will bolster essential supplies including food and
medicine to be delivered to large numbers of
civilians.
We continue to call for the regular delivery of humanitarian
supplies into Gaza and the opening of more entry points to relive
those who are suffering.
The UK continues to call for all parties to respect international
humanitarian law, minimise civilian casualties and for immediate
access for lifesaving aid into Gaza, including food, water,
medical supplies and fuel as a priority.
All UK aid undergoes rigorous oversight and multiple safeguards
are in place to prevent it benefiting Hamas.
Since 7 October, ministers have been engaging with countries
across the Middle East and international community to prevent the
conflict from spilling over.
Middle East Minister Lord Ahmad visited Israel and the West Bank
this week discuss efforts to prevent regional escalation and the
two-state solution with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
On 20 October, the Prime Minister visited Israel, Saudi Arabia
and Egypt to speak with the Prime Minister Netanyahu, Crown
Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman, the Amir of Qatar,
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah
El-Sisi, and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud
Abbas.
The Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary have both recently
travelled to the Middle East to call for humanitarian pauses to
allow aid to enter Gaza and allow civilians, including British
nationals, to leave.
