London: The United Kingdom has announced a significant contribution of 20 million pounds sterling, approximately USD 26.7 million, in urgent humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip. This initiative aims to address the severe humanitarian needs arising from the ongoing conflict in the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the UK government stated that the aid will focus on providing essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services to tens of thousands of civilians across Gaza. The funding will be channeled through organizations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to assist those grappling with famine, malnutrition, and disease.
The UK government further announced that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend a significant peace summit in Egypt, signaling the conclusion of the two-year war on Gaza. The Prime Minister is expected to outline the UK's commitment to playing a leading role in the forthcoming phase of the peace plan.
In an effort to support Gaza's recovery and reconstruction, the UK will also host a three-day conference at Wilton Park. This summit will gather representatives from businesses, civil society, and governments to coordinate efforts for postwar Gaza. Discussions will also include support for the Palestinian Authority's transformation and reform program to ensure effective recovery efforts.
The UK emphasized that the reconstruction process will be led by Palestinians, explicitly excluding any role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. The conference will see participation from international partners such as Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority, along with private sector entities and international development financiers like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank.