ISTANBUL, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye has so far delivered roughly 40,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, with plans underway to send another shipment of aid this month, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported Sunday.
The aid has been transported to Gaza via 13 planes and eight ships in collaboration with the Turkish Red Crescent, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, and several non-governmental organizations, according to the TRT.
The report added that a 3,000-ton aid ship is scheduled to set sail immediately after Eid al-Fitr, which is typically celebrated for three days and ends on April 12 this year.
The loading process of the ship, which will carry urgent relief aid including food, clothing, hygiene products, baby supplies, and medical supplies, continues at Türkiye's southern Mersin port.
Fatma Meric Yilmaz, head of the Turkish Red Crescent, stated on social media platform X that children and women were facing significant risks in Gaza, where electricity, food, and clean water were in short supply.
"These aid supplies you have entrusted to us for Gazan civilians are now of vital importance," Yilmaz said in an address to Turkish citizens, sharing photos of the aid ship.
To address Gaza's need for clean drinking water, Turkish charities "have signed a long-term agreement with a water factory in Egypt" to ensure the daily transfer of seven tons of drinking water to Gaza, the TRT noted.
Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in Gaza in response to a deadly surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.
The Israeli onslaught has so far led to at least 33,175 deaths and 75,886 injuries, as well as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. ■
