IRAN’S HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA AWAITING ENTRY: OFFICIAL

People injured during an overnight Israeli assault are treated in Shifa hospital in Gaza City on July 18, 2014.(Photo:PressTV)

Cairo, 26 Ramadan 1435/24 July 2014 (MINA) – Iran’s humanitarian aid supplies are awaiting permission to be dispatched to the besieged Gaza Strip, a senior Iranian official says.

The first consignment of relief aid provided by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) for Gazans has been flown into the Egyptian capital Cairo and is waiting to be cleared for transfer into Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

“Following an directive by President [Hassan Rouhani] to our country’s Foreign Minister [Mohammad Javad Zarif], the first airlift of the IRCS’ food and medical aid to the people in Gaza is ready to be transferred to this area through Egypt,” he said, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting Thursday.

Rouhani had earlier tasked the IRCS with providing humanitarian aid for the Gazans. He on Wednesday expressed regret over Iran’s aid supplies being denied entry into Gaza.

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“Iran’s humanitarian aid has been transferred to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and is awaiting permission,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

“We are discussing and coordinating with Gazan and Egyptian officials the transfer of a number of injured Palestinians to our country,” he further noted.

Rouhani also on Wednesday announced that Iran is prepared to admit wounded Palestinians for treatment.
Amir-Abdollahian also pointed out that Egyptian officials had already announced their readiness to receive and send humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip through the Rafah border opening.

Hospitals in Gaza are in desperate need of help, including medicines and equipment. Israel imposed an all-out land, aerial, and naval blockade on Gaza in June 2007. The siege has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished enclave.

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Latest reports indicate Israeli air raids and ground invasion of Gaza have killed more than 715 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded 4,200 others since July 8.  (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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