World Food Programme launches emergency operations for Gaza, West Bank

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced Tuesday it launched emergency operations to provide food assistance to 800,000 residents in Gaza and the West Bank.

It also demanded that humanitarian corridors be established to facilitate the entry of aid and humanitarian assistance into Gaza and made an appeal for the safe passage of staff and essential goods.

The WFP noted that $17.3 million is needed in the next four weeks to address the “critical” situation.

“All borders and checkpoints between the West Bank and Gaza are closed, which is further exacerbating the crisis by preventing much-needed assistance from entering,” it said.

Hamas sent dozens of fighters to infiltrate Israeli towns Saturday near the Gaza Strip amid heavy rocket fire. Hamas said the attack was in response to Israeli violations in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence.

Israel retaliated with a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and imposed a total blockade on the territory, home to nearly 2.3 million people.

At least 830 Palestinians were killed and 4,250 injured in the Israeli bombardment of the strip, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to use all of Israel’s strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and “take revenge for this black day.”