KUALA LUMPUR: The amount of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip has decreased by 50 per cent since Israel launched its recent airstrikes, according to Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM).
IRM chief executive officer Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood (pic) expressed concern that the drastic decline could lead to shortages of food and medical supplies, further worsening conditions for the people in Gaza.
"As of March 15, they are still distributing freshly cooked meals to the people of Gaza. But we are gravely concerned that in the coming days, supplies- especially clean water-could be completely depleted.
"It is understood that food supply prices have surged and medical supplies are also affected," she told Bernama after distributing iftar meals in conjunction with IRM's My Singgah Ramadan Media at Wisma Bernama, here on Thursday (March 20).
Bernama Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Services) Nasriah Darus and News Services Executive Editor Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa were also present.
Siti Fadilah said IRM strongly condemns the latest airstrikes launched by the Zionist regime in Gaza, which have claimed hundreds of lives, stressing that such actions are a clear violation of international law.
She said IRM supports the statement issued by its headquarters in Birmingham, urging world leaders to use all available means to pressure Israel to halt the attacks and allow the immediate entry of humanitarian aid.
"For us, this is a blatant violation of human rights by Israel. It is clear that they have no intention to uphold the ceasefire; instead, they are blocking aid from entering (Gaza) while continuing with the attacks.
"We believe this is an extremely excessive act, and at the same time, we are utterly frustrated that Israel's allies seem to condone its actions," she added.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli military bombarded the Gaza Strip early Tuesday (March 18), killing at least 404 people and injuring hundreds, breaking a ceasefire that had lasted nearly two months. – Bernama
