Iraq sends sixth batch of aid to Gaza Strip

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq sent its fourth batch of medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Iraqi defense ministry announced on Tuesday.

The ministry said in a statement on Facebook that 16 tons of medical and food supplies were transported aboard two Iraqi air force airplanes to Egypt’s al-Arish airport. From there, as a result of the coordination between the Iraqi and Egyptian Red Crescent societies, the aid will be taken to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

The statement mentioned that aid delivery will continue according to directives by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

Last month Basem al-Awadi, spokesperson for the Iraqi government announced that Sudani issued directives to dispatch humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza through the enclave's Rafah border crossing. 

In late November, Iraq sent another batch of aid to Gaza amid a week-long truce brokered between Israel and Hamas which allowed for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. 

Since the ceasefire expired on Friday, Israel has resumed its war on the besieged enclave, expanding its offensive to the south of the strip. 

Israeli airstrikes have killed over 15,500 Palestinians and injured over 41,000 since the start of the war on October 7.