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LONDON - The British government has announced an £88 million (US$116 million) package to deliver healthcare, clean water and protection to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, reported PA Media/dpa.
Support for medical consultations, rehabilitation for children with blast injuries and vital mental health services will be delivered as part of the aid package.
Money will also be spent on sanitation and hygiene services, in addition to waste management.
The package forms part of the £127 million (US$168 million) allocated to Palestine in the United Kingdom (UK)’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2026/27.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the funding would ‘support those desperately in need’ as he urged the Israeli government to end its "unacceptable restrictions on Gaza”.
This follows a reset of the UK’s relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has seen a ban on goods from illegal West Bank settlements.
Both Israel and the United States (US) criticised the UK’s stance, with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar announcing countermeasures including closing the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem and banning 11 MPs from entry to the country.
Miliband said: "It is vital that civilians in Gaza have unhindered access to aid.
"The UK is pledging a major new package of aid to provide much-needed healthcare support to those desperately in need.
"We urge the government of Israel to listen to our call to action and take steps to end its unacceptable restrictions on Gaza.” - BERNAMA
