Australia gives $5 mn for Gaza relief

The Australian government is providing five million Australian dollars (4.7 million US dollars) in urgent humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced Monday.

The minister said the funds will provide emergency food, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and psycho-social support and is in addition to Australia's existing commitment to providing 56.5 million Australian dollars (53.1 million US dollars) in development assistance to the Palestinian territories in 2014-15.

Bishop said the Australian government is deeply concerned about the continuing conflict between Israel and the militant groups in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Palestinians and at least 43 Israeli soldiers, Xinhua reported.

"Many Palestinian civilians have lost their lives along with a number of Israeli soldiers and civilians. Large numbers of people have been displaced from their homes, buildings and essential services damaged, and livelihoods jeopardised," he said.