Qatar is sending fuel aid to Gaza to deliver 12.5 million litres of fuel in 10 days

Qatar will supply 12.5 million litres of fuel to the Gaza Strip in the first 10 days after the ceasefire comes into effect.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (20 January) that Qatar would supply 1.25 million litres of fuel per day to the Gaza Strip during the period, and that 25 trucks carrying Qatari aid fuel had entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing on 20 January, which will be used to power hospitals and shelters.

Xinhua quoted the statement as saying that the move reflects Qatar's firm commitment to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The statement also called for greater regional and international cooperation to ensure continued aid access to the Gaza Strip.

After the Gaza Strip ceasefire exchange agreement came into effect at 11:15 local time on the 19th, Egypt immediately reopened the Rafah port connecting the Gaza Strip and Egypt, opening an important "life channel" for more than 2 million Gaza people in humanitarian crisis.

At 13:00 on the 19th, the Rafah crossing was opened, and nearly 200 trucks carrying aid arrived at the Israeli border crossing from the Egyptian side of the crossing, and will be inspected by the Israeli side before heading to Gaza. It is reported that the bus is loaded with a variety of humanitarian aid bearing the logos of donor countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and China, United Nations agencies and private charities, including food, medicine, blankets, portable toilets and field hospitals. Some carriages were covered with large shrouds bearing the Palestinian flag.

Despite the slow speed of the convoy, the wheels kicked up clouds of yellow sand, Mohammed Basouni, a 60-year-old driver from Port Said, Egypt, told reporters. "I am very happy to be able to deliver this relief to our brothers in Gaza. I am going to be examined by the Israeli side and then I will go to Gaza."

"I will not go home until supplies are delivered to Gaza. I haven't seen my children since last July and this truck has been my home for the past seven months."

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed announced on the evening of the 15th that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Prime Minister's office said in a statement on the 19th that the Gaza ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11:15 local time on the 19th.