Proposals to find ways to help civilians in Gaza amid the Israeli war include opening a sea corridor and establishing floating hospitals.
Delegations from more than 80 countries and organizations are meeting in France to attend a conference on providing aid to civilians amid the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, with proposals to establish a humanitarian sea corridor and floating field hospitals.
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has responded by imposing a “total blockade” restricting the entry of food, water, and fuel into the Gaza Strip, and a sustained bombing campaign that has killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians. children.
The French presidency said that several European countries, the United States, and regional powers such as Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf states, in addition to officials from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, are expected to participate in the Paris meeting on Thursday.
Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh will also attend.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has called for a “humanitarian truce” for the war, wants the conference to address the growing needs of the besieged Palestinian enclave, including food, water, health supplies, electricity and fuel.
The head of the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the chief UN aid official and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross are expected to provide details about the urgent needs in the Gaza Strip.
financial aid
More than 1.5 million people – or about 70% of Gaza’s population – have fled their homes, and an estimated $1.2 billion is needed to respond to the crisis in the Palestinian territories.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides will present his plan to establish a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza, which he said aims for a “sustainable, secure, high-volume flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza in the immediate, medium and long term.”
French officials said they were also considering evacuating casualties on hospital ships in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Gaza.
Paris sent a helicopter carrier off the coast of Cyprus and is preparing another carrying medical capabilities for this purpose.
Thursday’s discussions will also include financial support and other ways to help civilians in Gaza.
French help
France is expected to announce some additional financing.
Paris has already provided an additional 20 million euros ($21.4 million) in humanitarian aid to Gaza through the United Nations and other partners since October 7, and has sent 54 tons of aid supplies via three flights to Egypt.
The German government said on Tuesday that it would provide 20 million euros in new funding, in addition to releasing 71 million euros ($75.9 million) that were already allocated to UNRWA following a review it began after the Hamas attack.
The conference will also be attended by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The 27-nation bloc is the world’s largest supplier of aid to the Palestinians. It sent nearly 78 million euros ($83.4 million) this year.
The Elysee said that the Israeli authorities will not participate in Thursday’s conference.
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