Mohammed VI orders humanitarian aid to Palestine

During the ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad issued a statement, at the request of the king, announcing the dispatch of humanitarian aid to ‘our brotherly people’. 

‘This humanitarian aid is part of the concrete solidarity that constantly animates the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as the ‘unwavering commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Palestinian cause and its brotherly people,’ the statement said. 

The situation inside the Gaza Strip is unsustainable. The Israeli government's resistance and refusal to allow humanitarian aid trucks to pass through has led to a humanitarian disaster affecting the entire population of Gaza. In fact, according to the main NGOs in the enclave, one in three Gazans goes without food for days due to Israeli restrictions. 

As a result, Morocco, at the request of Mohammed VI, will send around 180 tonnes of basic foodstuffs (milk and special products for children), as well as medicines and medical and surgical supplies, to Palestine. 

This will also include tents and blankets. In terms of logistics, the government has committed to ensuring that the routes designed for this purpose are safe, allowing for rapid and direct delivery to Palestinian beneficiaries. 

On previous occasions, Morocco had already sent around 40 tonnes of aid to the Strip between March and June 2024. 

Among the main institutions responsible for sending humanitarian aid to the Palestinians is the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency. This agency has been responsible for establishing the criteria to be followed to ensure that shipments reach the families most in need. The aid to be sent by the Agency will consist of vegetables, flour, blankets and medical supplies. 

According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, the Moroccan aid will arrive in Israeli territory in eight Hercules military transport aircraft via Ben Gurion Airport. Once there, it will be sent to the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the Strip, which connects directly to the Rafah crossing. These shipments will be evaluated by the Israeli National Security Council. 

Morocco's aid is in line with recent announcements by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, much of the European Union and Gulf countries.