ABU DHABI // The UAE called for an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip yesterday so humanitarian aid could enter the battered territory as the military onslaught continued for a 17th day. At an emergency meeting last night in Abu Dhabi to discuss the humanitarian crisis, a number of donor countries and relief organisations joined in the appeal.
"It's important to understand the need for this mayhem to stop," Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, told participants, including the ambassadors of the US, Britain, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. "The first steps that should be taken are to reach a ceasefire, to address the humanitarian situation and the resumption of the peace process." Today, Arab health ministers, including Humaid Mohammed Obaid al Qattami of the UAE, are gathering in Saudi Arabia to find ways to ease the deteriorating medical situation. They will meet the Palestinian health minister in Riyadh.
The group will discuss setting up an Arab Health Emergency Committee, which will outline ways of helping medical organisations cope with large numbers of patients. Last night's emergency meeting was called by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and president of the UAE Red Crescent Authority. Dr Gargash said a among the conclusions from the meeting was the necessity of allowing financial aid to reach international organisations operating in the Gaza Strip. "It's important that this financial liquidity is transferred to trusted organisations that have been operating in the Gaza Strip for years."
Dr Gargash also stressed the importance of co-ordinating the UAE aid effort. "The UAE Foreign Aid Co-ordination Office is working side-by-side with local government departments, donors and charity organisations to co-ordinate and document government and non-government assistance with relevant international and UN organisations." The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said Israel had prevented cash from entering the Gaza Strip for weeks. "The immediate need is simply to allow cash in," said Peter Ford, a representative of the UNRWA commissioner general. "It's naive to think that there will be a recovery without lifting the blockade." During the meeting, Dr Gargash reiterated the UAE's support of the Palestinian question. "The Government of the UAE has supported the Palestinian people for many years ... and supported the Palestinian cause and also the cause of peace." The UAE has pledged to rebuild 1,300 Palestinian houses in Gaza, as well as schools, mosques and damaged hospitals. A nationwide telethon broadcast on Friday raised more than Dh320 million (US$87m) for the Palestinians. Meanwhile in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of the emirate, said yesterday that the festivities that normally accompany the opening of Dubai Shopping Festival would be cancelled this year in solidarity with the Palestinians. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment yesterday donated Dh20m. mhabboush@thenational.ae * With additional reporting by WAM