ISTANBUL, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- The International Gaza Humantarian Aid Summit, organized by Turkiye's Diyanet Foundation (TDV), kicked off in Istanbul to highlight Gaza's humanitarian crisis and boost global solidarity.
In his opening remarks, Head of the Popular International Committee to Support Gaza, Dr. Essam Yousef, said that even after the ceasefire, many victims remain under the rubble and urgent aid is still needed.
Appealing to the international community, he described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe and called for reconstruction and the delivery of essential relief supplies, which Israeli occupation continues to block.
Chairman of Al-Khair Foundation, Imam Qasim Ahmed, said that the goal is not merely to restore the situation before October 7, but to return to the pre-1967 era when Jerusalem was fully free.
He emphasized that the current situation is a humanitarian struggle and urged unity and solidarity, setting aside minor differences to focus on greater causes.
Palestinian human rights advocate Amjad Al-Shawa said in a video message that Israeli occupation forces have committed massacres in Gaza over the past two years, killing more than 20,000 children and leaving many others injured or traumatized.
He warned that with winter approaching, 1.2 million displaced people are living in torn tents under difficult conditions, and urged that urgent aid reach the sick, wounded, elderly, and disabled who have lost everything.
He emphasized that the Israeli occupation has destroyed water, sanitation, and infrastructure services in Gaza, and that its aim is to deepen and prolong the crisis.
The two-day summit includes five workshops focused on comprehensive humanitarian assistance for Gaza, with participation from over 200 institutions and organizations representing 48 countries. (end) ta.ao