CAIRO, Oct 23, (Agencies): The first Kuwaiti relief plane has landed at Al-Arish Airport, delivering vital humanitarian and medical assistance to the Palestinians. Khaled Al-Zaid, a representative of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), stated that the aircraft is carrying a variety of medical supplies, ambulances, and essential necessities needed in these challenging circumstances. Al-Zaid mentioned that the plane is loaded with 40 tons of aid provided by KRCS and the Kuwait Society for Relief, following the directives of Kuwait’s political leadership in response to the Palestinian people’s plea for assistance. He highlighted the direct coordination between the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies to facilitate the entry of these supplies into the region.

Additionally, Al-Zaid expressed gratitude to donors within Kuwait, including citizens, residents, institutions, and private sector banks, for their unwavering support of KRCS’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people facing human rights violations by Israeli occupation forces. A humanitarian air bridge launched by Kuwait to bring some 40 tonnes of aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip will last for five days, the country’s ambassador to Egypt Ghanim Al-Ghanim said on Monday. The initiative, a directive by Kuwait’s political leaders, aims to “mitigate the misery” of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have been the victims of “Israeli transgressions,” the envoy said as he was overseeing the arrival of Kuwaiti aid at Egypt’s northern Al Arish airport. The aid runs the gamut from essential food supplies to healthcare assistance, added the Kuwaiti diplomat, saying it was a testament to Kuwait’s “unflinching support” for the Palestinians. It is “incumbent” upon the international community to stand alongside the Palestinians at a time when Israel has stepped up its vicious attacks against them, he underlined.

On Sunday, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, announced the initiation of relief operations through an Air Bridge, in response to the call for assistance from the Palestinian people and under the guidance of Kuwait’s leadership, including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Kuwaiti charity societies continue to rally efforts to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as the Israeli occupation aggression left tens of thousands of casualties and a large number of families with no homes or provisions. Al-Salam Charity Chief, Dhari Al-Beijan, told KUNA that since its establishment, the charity focused its work in central Asia but due to the continuing tragic events in Gaza, Al-Salam Charity redirected its efforts. The charity, affirmed Al-Beijan, is in contact with official organizations in Palestine approved by Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to deliver urgent aid to the people of Gaza.

In the first phase, the charity had allocated USD 100,000 for foodstuff, medical necessities, and provisions for refuge centres, stated Al-Beijan saying that this has been facilitated by the Foreign Ministry and Social Affairs Ministry. As for Najat Charity’s Abdullah Al-Shehab, he told KUNA that over 34,000 people benefited from the urgent aid sent by the charity, as part of the “For Palestine” campaign launched towards the beginning of escalation. Al-Shehab mentioned that they are preparing to send new batches of assistance, as they have also launched another campaign for the sponsorship of 1,000 orphans. Tanmeia Charity official, Musab Al-Otaibi, told KUNA that Gaza Strip is in dire need of necessary provisions as the people are suffering from severe shortages and the collapse of the health system. He affirmed that despite tough conditions and obstacles in delivering aid, Tanmeia charity would continue to send support to Palestinians.