RAF flight delivering aid to Egypt, where it will be distributed in Gaza, Palestine — The RAF has been working with agencies such as the Red Crescent to support the aid effort (Picture: MOD)

RAF

Second RAF flight delivers equipment to support aid crossing into Gaza

The Royal Air Force has made a second delivery to Egypt, this time of vital equipment to support the relief effort for civilians in Gaza, as Israel's bombardment of the region continues.

The delivery included forklifts and the tools and items needed to keep them in working order, a fuel store, belt conveyers, four pallet trucks and four lightning tower generators.

These items had been specifically requested by the UK's partners in the region, including the Egyptian Red Crescent, which will distribute the equipment and set it up close to the Rafah border crossing, which is currently the only entry point for aid into Gaza.

This will in turn increase the ability of agencies to get significant amounts of aid to those still in Gaza.

It comes after 21 tonnes of essential supplies, including medical equipment and water filters, were delivered into Egypt by the RAF last week.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said as the "acute humanitarian crisis" unfolds, the RAF airlift shows "yet again that the UK is committed to helping all suffering civilians".

"Our Armed Forces have rapidly deployed to get our partners on the ground what they urgently need and stand ready to continue supporting the humanitarian effort," he added.

Watch: What are the Royal Navy vessels deploying to support Israel?

The UK recently increased its support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories by £30m – more than doubling the original commitment.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said the UK was "determined to drive international efforts to ensure lifesaving aid reaches the people who need it most".

"This equipment, specifically requested by our partners on the ground, will bolster essential supplies including food and medicine to be delivered to large numbers of civilians," he said.

"We continue to call for the regular delivery of humanitarian supplies into Gaza and the opening of more entry points to relieve those who are suffering."

The MOD said all aid undergoes rigorous oversight, and multiple safeguards are in place to prevent it benefiting Hamas.

The UK has continued to call for all parties to respect international law, minimise civilian casualties and allow for immediate access for life-saving aid into Gaza.

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for pauses in the fighting in order to get aid into Gaza.

But he rejected calls for a full ceasefire, with the PM's spokesperson claiming this would only benefit Hamas.

The spokesperson added that Mr Sunak disagreed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's comment that the attacks by Hamas last month, in which 1,400 Israelis were killed, did not happen in a vacuum.

Mr Guterres said Palestinians "have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation" but their grievances "cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas".

However, he also said the attacks by Hamas "cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people".