Palestine: Morocco’s King, first leader in the world to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via land route

For decades, the Palestinian cause has been exploited by some parties for political gains and for their personal interests, but in Morocco it is a sacred cause deemed just as important as the Kingdom’s first national cause.

As the brutal Israeli attacks against Palestinians in Gaza hit six months, leading to a staggering humanitarian crisis with a heavy Palestinian death toll, while thousands are struggling to avoid starvation, King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, moved to alleviate the sufferings of besieged Gazans, especially the most vulnerable.

Thanks to his leadership, credibility and international leverage, the Moroccan Sovereign has succeeded to secure a land route for the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. The breakthrough was lauded by Palestinian people and leaders, saying the relief comes at the right time, especially after the failure of cease-fire talks.

On Tuesday, 40 tons of Moroccan humanitarian aid started reaching Gaza via land route. The foodstuffs and basic products were sent to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Al Quds holy city, upon the instructions of King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al Quds Committee.

Besides this humanitarian relief assistance, a large part of the aid sent to Palestinian babies and young children was paid by the King from his personal funds, said a press release issued by the Moroccan ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Palestinian President’s Advisor for Religious Affairs Mahmoud El Habach has praised the relief operation launched by the Monarch, saying it will ease the sufferings of the Palestinian people.

“We highly command this noble gesture,” added Mr. El Habach, voicing the Palestinian people’s gratitude to the Sovereign and the Moroccan people for this action, which reflects feelings of sincere brotherhood and embodies human values towards the bereaved people suffering from the blockade in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, Palestinian Ambassador in Rabat Jamal Choubki said the Moroccan humanitarian assistance, which coincides with the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, shows the Sovereign’s high sense of humanity and genuine solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Morocco is the first country to deliver humanitarian aid by land route, directly to the beneficiary populations, said the diplomat, paying tribute to the Royal initiative as a model for others to follow.

Member of Fatah Movement’s Revolutionary Council, Iyyad Safi, said this is another proof of the constant and unconditional humanitarian support provided by Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to the Palestinian people.

This support, which will certainly ease the pain and sadness endured by the people of Gaza for months, confirms Morocco’s commitment to protecting Palestinian holy sites and supporting the resistance of the Palestinian people, said the Fatah movement official.

The North African Kingdom stands by the Palestinian people in this ordeal, he underlined, expressing thanks and gratitude to the King and the Moroccan people for their steadfast support to the people of Gaza.

Head of PLO’s Public Relations Ahmed Siam hailed Morocco’s humanitarian gesture which brings joy and rekindles the Palestinian people’s hope, noting that the Moroccan generosity helps support Palestinian resistance.

The Palestinian people highly appreciate the royal initiative, he added, underlining that the move is in line with the Kingdom’s historic positions in support of the Palestinian people and their struggle to regain their independence.

This is not Morocco’s first humanitarian operation launched in support of Palestinians. In 2023, the country sent 25 tons of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, delivered via the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and in 2018, the Kingdom deployed a field hospital in Gaza.

Morocco’s humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza and Al Quds is part of a long tradition of active and concrete solidarity with Palestine. It reflects the King’s bold role, constant commitment, and long-standing support for the Palestinian Cause, confirms that Moroccan solidarity is not dictated by circumstances or conjuncture, but is steady and continuous, and evidences, if need be, that the Kingdom’s positions towards the Palestinian cause are clear, unshakable, and irreversible.