Faisal Edhi files visa application for Palestine to help war-torn country

• Faisal Edhi says he wants to do relief work in Palestine via Edhi Foundation.
• Philanthropist says he will arrive in Palestine via Egypt.
• Humanitarian says that envoy has informed him that Palestine needs medicines.

Pakistani humanitarian Faisal Edhi has announced that he has submitted a visa request with the Palestinian embassy in Pakistan to fly to Palestine and help the country that has been under attack by the Israeli forces.

“We want to take part in the relief work in Palestine via the Edhi Foundation. Five people, including my son Saad Edhi [and myself], will be going to Palestine,” Faisal told Geo News on Monday. He said that he will be going to Palestine via Egypt, adding that he has applied for a visa for the country.

The son of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi Foundation said that representatives of his organisation met with the Palestinian envoy in Islamabad and were informed that there is an urgent need for medicines in the war-torn country.

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Faisal said that his organisation will buy food and medicine from Egypt, adding that the foundation has set aside a budget of “Rs25-30 million” for the purpose. 

“We do not want any support from the government as we will do everything with the help of people,” vowed Edhi. However, he added that the five people visiting the country will be in touch with the Pakistani embassy in Cairo.

Regarding the duration of his trip, Faisal said that the decision will be taken once the team reaches Palestine and assesses the situation there. 

Read more: Faisal Edhi fears drop in donations after propaganda against foundation

Nearly 200 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks

Israeli air strikes hammered the Gaza Strip Monday after a week of violence that has killed nearly 200 Palestinians, despite international calls for de-escalation.

Before dawn, in the space of just a few minutes, dozens of Israeli strikes bombarded the crowded coastal Palestinian enclave controlled by Hamas, according to AFP journalists and the army.

Flames lit up the sky as intense explosions shook Gaza city, sparking widespread power cuts and damaging hundreds of buildings, local authorities said. No casualties were immediately reported.

Read more: Biden expresses 'grave concern' over rising death toll in Palestine in call with Israeli PM

The renewed strikes come a day after 42 Palestinians in Gaza — including at least eight children and two doctors, according to the health ministry — were killed in the worst daily death toll in the enclave since the bombardments began.

In total, 197 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 58 children, and more than 1,200 wounded since Israel launched its air campaign against Hamas on May 10, according to the authorities there.