Australia plans to give an additional $10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza

September 23, 2024 TruthUSA

The Australian government announced that it would provide funding of $10 million (US$6.8 million) to support women and girls in the region, focusing on delivering life-saving assistance.

Australia has allocated another $10 million (US$6.8 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza and the West Bank to address the crisis in the war-torn region.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong mentioned that the funding will be channeled through UNICEF and UNFPA to provide crucial support for women and girls, including nutrition, hygiene, and dignity kits.

This aid package follows a previous $82.5 million commitment by the Australian government since Oct. 7, 2023, to address the urgent needs of the affected populations in the region.

Wong emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, as well as the protection of aid workers.

“We continue to push for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and release of hostages,” she stated.

International Development Minister Pat Conroy also called for both sides to agree on a ceasefire.

“The situation in Gaza is devastating. Innocent civilians should not suffer due to the actions of a few. The suffering must end,” he commented.

“We support the U.N. Security Council-endorsed ceasefire and urge its full implementation by both parties. Delaying will only result in further loss of lives.”

Ceasefire Not in the Horizon

Australia’s new aid allocation comes at a time when a ceasefire agreement between Palestine and Israel seems distant.

In early September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that negotiators were far from reaching a ceasefire deal, blaming Hamas, identified as a terrorist group, for the impasse.

Recently, several U.S. officials have expressed concerns that a ceasefire and hostage resolution may not be achievable before the end of Biden’s term in January 2025.

In a separate development, Israeli President Isaac Herzog refuted allegations that Israel was responsible for the series of attacks via pagers and walkie-talkies that shook Lebanon in mid-September.

The attacks resulted in numerous casualties and injuries, leading the Lebanese government to denounce them as acts of criminal Israeli aggression.

Source link