Iraq to send four more aid flights to Gaza, defense ministry says

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Defense announced Thursday ongoing coordination with Egyptian authorities to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, with four additional aid flights scheduled in the coming period.

Tahseen Al-Khafaji, director of media at the ministry, told the Iraqi News Agency that Iraq has already sent 15 tons of food supplies to Gaza, with more shipments planned.

“The total amount allocated by the Iraqi government is 80 tons of food materials,” he said.

Al-Khafaji added that the Iraqi will continue delivering aid to Gaza through Egypt. He highlighted “strong cooperation between the Iraqi Red Crescent, Egyptian authorities, and relevant parties to ensure the aid reaches Palestine.”

An Iraqi aircraft flew Wednesday to the Egyptian city of Al-Arish to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Ministry of Defense said.

Iraq has sent multiple humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza since the conflict there escalated following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. On Oct. 23, 2023, the Iraqi Air Force began transporting the first batch of aid to the Gaza Strip via El Arish Airport in Egypt, where it was to be received by Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent committees before transfer to Gaza. Subsequent air shipments included the third batch of 11 tons of humanitarian and medical aid on Nov. 4, 2023, and a fourth shipment of about 11.28 tons of food and relief materials on Nov. 21, 2023. Iraqi military aircraft also transported a 16-ton medical supply load from Karbala in early December 2023 as part of ongoing efforts.