Proposals to find ways to help Gaza civilians amid Israel’s war include opening a sea corridor and setting up floating hospitals.
Delegations from more than 80 countries and organizations are meeting in France for a conference on aid to civilians in the context of the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with proposals for a humanitarian maritime corridor and floating field hospitals.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel has responded by imposing a “full siege” that has restricted the entry of food, water and fuel into the Gaza Strip, and by launching a relentless bombing campaign that killed more than 10,000 people, half of them casualties. children.
Several European countries, the United States and regional powers such as Jordan, Egypt and the Gulf countries as well as United Nations officials and non-governmental organizations are expected to attend the Paris meeting on Thursday, the French presidency said .
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh is also present.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has called for a “humanitarian pause” in the war, wants the conference to address the growing needs of the besieged Palestinian enclave, including food, water, medical supplies, electricity and fuel .
The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the top UN humanitarian official and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are expected to provide details on urgent needs in the Gaza strip.
Financial aid
More than 1.5 million people – about 70 percent of Gaza’s population – have fled their homes, and it is estimated that around $1.2 billion is needed to respond to the crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides will present his plan for a humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza, which he says aims for a “sustained and secure flow of a high volume of humanitarian aid to Gaza in the immediate, medium and long term “.
French authorities said they also planned to evacuate the injured on hospital ships in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Gaza.
Paris has sent a helicopter carrier off the Cypriot coast and is preparing another with medical capabilities on board for this purpose.
Thursday’s discussions will also focus on financial support and other ways to help civilians in Gaza.
help in French
France is expected to announce additional funding.
Paris has already provided an additional 20 million euros ($21.4 million) in humanitarian aid to Gaza through the UN and other partners since October 7 and sent 54 tons of humanitarian supplies via three flights to Egypt.
On Tuesday, the German government announced it would provide 20 million euros in new funds, in addition to the release of 71 million euros ($75.9 million) already earmarked for UNRWA following a study launched after the Hamas attack.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also participating in the conference.
The 27-nation bloc is the world’s leading provider of aid to the Palestinians. It has sent nearly 78 million euros ($83.4 million) this year.
The Israeli authorities will not participate in Thursday’s conference, the Elysée said.
