Humanitarian efforts intensify as winter approaches in Gaza

Despite Israel's repeated delays in the reopening of the Rafah crossing, aid organizations are racing against time to prepare and deliver essential supplies to the war-torn Gaza Strip as winter approaches.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), aid trucks from Egypt are now being rerouted through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southeastern Gaza for Israeli inspection before entering Gaza.

In a warehouse in Giza, Egypt, critical supplies are being assembled for shipment including essential items most urgently needed by Palestinians such as rice, flour, salt, sugar, tea, and canned food. These basic food staples represent a crucial lifeline for civilians facing severe shortages in Gaza.

Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aid agencies are working around the clock to stave off a looming humanitarian crisis in the enclave. On Oct 12, Egypt dispatched its largest-ever humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza. The massive convoy, consisting of 400 trucks, carried 9,000 tons of relief supplies, including food, medical resources, and fuel.

Volunteers with civil charity foundations say that essential supplies remain the primary focus of aid efforts.

"Our first goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in all daily necessities. This includes a range of items, from grains, rice, pasta, and lentils to all essential supplies for the kitchen. We are also preparing clothing and beverages," said a volunteer at the warehouse.

"We have previously participated in 12 aid convoys to Gaza. A new convoy is currently en route, carrying substantial amounts of supplies including infant formula, blankets, and food. We are committed to doing our utmost to meet the needs of the people in Gaza," said another volunteer at the warehouse.

With winter approaching, bringing cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is taking on new urgency. Beyond food shortages, warm shelter and cold-weather supplies have become critical needs. To address this, essential items like thick, cotton clothing and heavy quilts are now stocked in warehouses and ready for shipment to Gaza.

A September OCHA report based on satellite imagery analysis revealed that over 19,000 structures in Gaza -- approximately 78 percent of the total -- have sustained damage.

Humanitarian efforts intensify as winter approaches in Gaza

Humanitarian efforts intensify as winter approaches in Gaza

China and Canada should work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Friday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending the Canada-China Trade and Investment Banquet together with the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Speaking at the event, He said that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by their leaders, China and Canada should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation, and mutual success, and jointly promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China is steadfastly expanding high-standard opening up, continuously developing new quality productive forces, and is willing to work with countries around the world, including Canada, to create new prospects for cooperation, said He.

Carney noted at the banquet that China is Canada's second-largest trading partner and said Canada looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges with China, making full use of dialogue mechanisms in areas such as the economy and trade, and deepening cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy and other fields.

Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin a four-day official visit to China, marking the first trip to the country by a Canadian prime minister in eight years.

China, Canada should work together for stable, healthy, sustainable economic ties: Vice Premier