Turkish Aid to Gaza Strip Obstructed by Israeli Authorities
Turkish media reported on Tuesday that Israeli authorities in the port of Ashdod “obstructed” the distribution of food supplies and flour donated by Turkey to the residents of the Gaza Strip through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The aid is enough to last for a month.
According to Anadolu Agency, citing informed sources, Turkey had delivered flour and other dry food supplies to UNRWA officials in the southern port of Mersin as part of the annual aid provided to Palestinians through UNRWA.
After delivering the supplies, UNRWA loaded them onto a ship bound for Mersin Port, which carried approximately 1,100 containers of aid covering Gaza’s needs for four weeks.
The UNRWA ship, loaded with flour and dry food for Palestinians, then headed to Ashdod port to unload its cargo. However, the Israeli authorities reportedly stopped the aid transfer process after some of the cargo was delivered to Palestinians.
While UNRWA continues to negotiate with the Israeli authorities to resume the distribution of aid, the Turkish authorities reportedly intervened and entered the line to ensure the completion of the remaining aid distribution.
Following allegations made by Israel that UNRWA employees were involved in an attack on settlements near the Gaza Strip in October, 18 countries and the European Union suspended their funding to the agency.
Established in 1949 by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, UNRWA provides assistance and protection to refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip until a lasting solution to their plight is achieved.