UK pledges $27m in aid for Gaza

KABUL (Pajhwok): Britain will provide a £20 million ($27 million) aid package to deliver water, sanitation and hygiene services in Gaza, a media report said on Monday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the aid package on Sunday upon his arrival in Egypt for a world leaders’ summit aimed at ending the conflict, Reuters reported.

Britain said the funding would be channelled through UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the Norwegian Refugee Council, and is intended to reach those facing famine, malnutrition and disease.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day on Sunday, as part of the first phase of an agreement to end the war after two years.

Britain also said it would host a three-day summit on the reconstruction of Gaza, which will include international government representatives, private sector and development finance representatives, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank.

This financial year, Britain has provided £74 million in humanitarian support to Palestine, which it formally recognised as a state last month.

A ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on Friday morning after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire agreement and hostage return deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, with subsequent phases still to be negotiated.

Egypt is hosting a meeting of regional leaders and global powers to discuss a peace and reconstruction plan for Gaza.

kk/sa