India announces Rs 10 cr aid for Palestinians

The assistance is being provided in keeping with India's traditional policy of extending support to the Palestinians," the MEA said.

Concerned over the economic hardships faced by Palestinian people, India has announced a humanitarian assistance worth Rs 10 crore to help them out of the prevailing situation in Gaza and West Bank.

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The aid, which will be mainly in the form of medicines and medical supplies, is being provided at the request of the Palestinian authorities, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Situation for people in Gaza and West Bank has turned bad as a result of cuts in international aid, consequent non-payment of salaries after the election of the Hamas government and intensified restrictions on movement of people and goods in the occupied Palestinian territory.

UN agencies and officials have expressed fear that this could bring about conditions of dire poverty and warned of humanitarian crisis.

The "humanitarian assistance" is being provided "in keeping with India's traditional and consistent policy of extending sympathy and support to the people of Palestine," it said.

The External Affairs Ministry said that the Indian representative in Ramallah was in touch with the Palestinian authorities to work out the detailed arrangements in this regard.