23rd relief flight to Gaza departs from Lahore with 100 tons of aid
Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian demos, strikes in Italy
ISLAMABAD/ROME: The 23rd relief consignment, comprising 100 tons of humanitarian aid, was dispatched to Gaza via a special flight from Allama Iqbal International Airport, with support from the Alkhidmat Foundation and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The relief consignment comprised ration bags filled with essential food items such as flour, rice, sweet corn,
ready-to-eat meals, cooking oil and fruit cocktails.
With this latest dispatch, the total volume of aid sent to Gaza has reached 2,227 tons across 23 consignments.
A send-off ceremony was held at the airport, attended by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, senior government officials, representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and members of the Alkhidmat Foundation.
Speaking on occasion, Governor commended the NDMA and its partner welfare organizations for their swift and coordinated efforts in delivering essential relief goods to Gaza. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for their dedication to humanitarian service.
Governor reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to stand with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and to make every possible effort to meet their needs.
He said the oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Palestine are our brothers, adding that Israel has become a threat to peace in the world.
The Governor emphasized the urgent need for unity among Islamic nations in support of Palestine. He strongly condemned Israel’s actions, stating that the ongoing bombardment of civilian areas in Gaza and across Palestine constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian principles.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people protested on Monday across Italy as part of a day of action to “denounce the genocide in Gaza”, which included transport strikes and port blockades.
The demonstrations came the same day as France and other countries prepared to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, following recognition by the UK, Australia and Canada on Sunday.
Italy’s hard-right government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said it will not recognise a Palestinian state for now.
In Rome, some 20,0000 people gathered in front of the main Termini train station, according to local police, many of them students, shouting “Free Palestine!” and holding up Palestinian flags.
Some had marched via the Colosseum, those at the front holding up a giant banner saying “Against Genocide. Let’s block everything.”
At Termini station, Michelangelo, 17, told AFP he was there to support “a population that is being exterminated”.
Francesca Tecchia, 18, was protesting “for the first time”, because “what is happening (in Gaza) is too important”, she said.
“Italy must come to a standstill today,” said Federica Casino, a 52-year-old worker protesting with the students for Gaza’s “dead children and destroyed hospitals”.
“Italy talks but does nothing,” she said.
In the northern city of Milan, where organisers said 50,000 people turned out, protesters burned a US flag, an AFP reporter saw.
In Bologna, more than 10,000 took to the streets, according to local police, while protesters also took place in Turin, Florence, Naples and Sicily.
In Genoa and Livorno, dock workers blockaded port entrances, according to Italian media.
Strike action disrupted local buses and the metro service in Rome, while national train operators also warned of delays and cancellations.
Meloni’s government, which is ideologically close to US President Donald Trump, has condemned Israel’s relentless assault on the besieged Palestinian territory. Staff Report
