Istanbul: The International Gaza Humanitarian Aid Summit, organized by Turkiye's Diyanet Foundation (TDV), commenced in Istanbul to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis and encourage global solidarity.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Head of the Popular International Committee to Support Gaza, Dr. Essam Yousef, highlighted the ongoing needs in Gaza despite the ceasefire, noting that many victims remain trapped under the rubble and urgent aid is necessary. He called on the international community to view the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe and urged for reconstruction efforts and the delivery of essential relief supplies, which continue to face obstructions.
Chairman of Al-Khair Foundation, Imam Qasim Ahmed, stated that the aim is to restore conditions not just to the state before October 7, but to the pre-1967 era when Jerusalem was fully free. He emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity in addressing the humanitarian struggle, encouraging participants to set aside minor differences for the greater cause.
Palestinian human rights advocate Amjad Al-Shawa, in a video message, accused Israeli occupation forces of committing massacres in Gaza over the past two years, resulting in the deaths of more than 20,000 children and leaving many injured or traumatized. He expressed concern for the 1.2 million displaced individuals living in torn tents as winter approaches, urging that aid should reach the sick, wounded, elderly, and disabled who have lost everything.
Al-Shawa also pointed out the destruction of water, sanitation, and infrastructure services in Gaza by the Israeli occupation, with the aim of deepening and prolonging the crisis. The two-day summit includes five workshops focused on comprehensive humanitarian assistance for Gaza, involving more than 200 institutions and organizations from 48 countries.