Denmark pledges to send more humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza

By Ebad Ahmed

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AA) - The Danish premier has pledged to send more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, with a continued siege and airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Mette Frederiksen made the pledge in a lengthy online post on Sunday night, stating: “I’m deeply affected by the many children in particular who have been affected. Israel must protect civilians according to international humanitarian law and we are sending more money from Denmark for humanitarian help.”

Denmark earlier pledged 50 million Danish krones ($7.1 million) to assist the civilian population of Gaza and the West Bank. Of the aid, 33 million krones ($4.7 million) will be given to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, to support urgent humanitarian needs for civilians, while the remaining is expected to support efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza to deliver emergency aid, treat the wounded, and humanitarian diplomacy, including negotiations for humanitarian access.

In a strongly worded statement, Frederiksen said she rejects “anyone who happens to cheer for the gruesome things happening to the Palestinians.”

A number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place all over Denmark since the start of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, most recently in Copenhagen on Sunday.