ST. PETERSBURG, Jan 7 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Sovereign Military Order of Malta delivered thousands of essential aid items to civilians in the Gaza Strip despite Israeli border restrictions and ongoing combat, the first counselor at the order’s mission in Egypt, Marc Innaro, told RIA Novosti.
He outlined the scope of the aid, which has penetrated the blockade to reach the Gaza population facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.
“We have delivered not only several thousand food and hygiene kits and medicines, but also tents and blankets to Gaza. However, this has been extremely difficult due to the extensive closures imposed by the Israeli authorities and the ongoing fighting in Gaza at the Rafah border crossing,” Innaro stated.
The diplomat added that the Order's operations extend beyond distribution as it maintains a critical medical outpost within Gaza itself.
“We have a small dispensary within the Catholic Church—the only Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip—where we distribute medicines and pharmaceuticals. We have been providing assistance and shelter to hundreds, I would even say thousands, of people in Gaza, while continuing to distribute pharmaceuticals and other humanitarian aid,” Innaro explained.
He emphasised that the humanitarian mission was being conducted under extreme duress.
Looking ahead, Innaro highlighted the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt as a crucial gateway for any future relief efforts.
“This entry point has been the most important so far, but it will become even more critical if and when a stable truce is established in Gaza and secure conditions allow our volunteers and doctors to enter and operate more freely within the Gaza Strip to assist the population,” Innaro concluded.
The Catholic order, which is recognised under international law as a sovereign entity and has its headquarters in Rome, operates thousands of humanitarian projects in 120 countries, focusing on healthcare, disaster relief, and aid for refugees.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
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