Tel Aviv Tribune Net correspondents
Ankara- The Qatari-Turkish “Goodness Ship” set off today, Wednesday, from the Turkish port of Mersin, carrying humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Qatari embassy in Ankara told Tel Aviv Tribune Net that the Al-Khair ship represents the beginning of cooperation between Qatar and Turkey in the field of humanitarian relief, and that this step comes within the framework of joint efforts to support the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where the ship sailed thanks to the intensive efforts made by the Qatar Fund for Development and the Qatar Development Authority. Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management “AFAD”, in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent.
The ship carries approximately 1,908 tons of urgent humanitarian aid, which includes food baskets, personal hygiene supplies, shelter supplies, and other basic needs. The Qatar Development Fund contributed an estimated 1,358 tons of aid, while the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority participated with 550 tons.
It is planned that the ship will arrive at the Egyptian port of Al-Arish, the closest point to Gaza, about 40 hours after its departure, after which it will enter the Gaza Strip via the available land routes, according to the embassy.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar, Lulwah Al Khater, met with the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yassin Akram Sarim on the sidelines of the ship’s farewell ceremony, and the two sides discussed issues related to cooperation regarding humanitarian aid activities for Gaza.
Ongoing support
The State of Qatar continues its relief efforts to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, during the difficult humanitarian conditions they have been exposed to since the start of the Israeli aggression.
As part of the continuity of its relief efforts, Qatar Charity revealed that the number of beneficiaries of its assistance as of May 5 reached about 2.5 million people.
She explained that the Qatari air bridge, which is being implemented in cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development and other parties, has transported 1,011 tons of aid via 95 aircraft.
She indicated that the number of beneficiaries of this aid shipped or that will be shipped soon is estimated at 729,766 people, while the number of beneficiaries of urgent relief projects, whether implemented or under implementation, is about 1,650,670 people.
For its part, since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Turkey has sent more than 52,000 tons of aid on board 13 planes and 10 ships.
The Qatar Fund for Development has begun loading urgent humanitarian aid for the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza, which will sail from the Turkish port of Mersin to the port of Al-Arish in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in preparation for its later transfer through the Rafah crossing to the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/Moxahzw5Yy
— Qatar Fund For Development Qatar Fund for Development (@qatar_fund) May 4, 2024
The Israeli occupation continues its aggression against the Gaza Strip for the 215th day, while the Gaza Ministry of Health announced today, Wednesday, that the number of martyrs in the war on the Strip has risen to 34,844 martyrs, and the injured to 78,404.
