Valleta, Jan 7 (SPUTNIK/UNI) 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 Sputnik.
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. “More specifically, concerning Gaza, we have delivered several thousands of food and hygiene kits and medicaments, but especially also tents and blankets to Gaza. However, it has been very, very difficult due to the overwhelming closures by the Israeli authorities and also due to the ongoing battles in Gaza through 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 with the distribution of medical and pharmaceuticals in the Catholic Church, the only Catholic Church which is present in the Gaza Strip. And we have been giving assistance and also shelter to hundreds, I would say, even thousands of Gaza people until now, and distributing pharmaceuticals and humanitarian assistance,” Innaro explained.
He emphasized that the humanitarian mission was being conducted under extreme duress. Looking ahead, Innaro pinpointed the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt as the important gateway for any future relief effort. “This entry point has been the most important entry point until now, but it will be even more important if and when, in Gaza, there will be a stable truce and there are going to be secure conditions for our volunteers, for our doctors, to enter and to begin to operate more or less freely within Gaza Strip to assist the Gaza population,” Innaro concluded.
The Catholic order, which is recognized 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.
