By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Bangladesh on Monday dispatched aid materials for the Palestinian people facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli forces.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen handed over relief materials to the Palestinian Ambassador in Dhaka Yousef Ramadan, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The first installment of aid containing 587 kilograms of relief materials was dispatched to Egypt via a regular flight of Egypt Airways. Bangladesh’s Embassy in Cairo is coordinating with the Egyptian and Palestinian authorities to get the aid through, according to the statement.
Dhaka has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Momen expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine in this moment of crisis and assured them of Bangladesh’s support.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment since Oct. 7, began 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 growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army continues to target Gaza with intensive airstrikes that have destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing 5,087 Palestinians, including 2,055 children and 1,119 women, and injuring 15,273, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The ministry said over 1,500 people are still trapped under the rubble.