Gulf bloc plans urgent relief operation for Gaza

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ANKARA (AA) – The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Ministerial Council plans an urgent relief operation for the embattled Gaza Strip, Oman said on Tuesday.

An Omani Foreign Ministry statement said the council held an extraordinary session in the capital Muscat to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip.

“The GCC intends to find an urgent relief operation to help the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the statement said, stressing the necessity “to secure the urgent delivery of aid to Gaza.”

Since last week, Gaza has been suffering under an Israeli “total siege,” cutting off water, electricity, and food supplies to over 2 million people, despite warnings by international bodies that this would lead to humanitarian catastrophe.

Eleven days into the conflict with Hamas group, Israel's bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip continued, with over one million people displaced – almost half of Gaza's total population, according to UNRWA.

The fighting began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 4,400 people have been killed in the armed conflict, including at least 3,001 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis.