The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started humanitarian and relief operations to save Palestinians in the Gaza Strip suffering from Israeli military strikes, local Emirates News Agency reported on Monday.
The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) launched the relief operations in line with instructions from President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
As the first phase of its operations, the RCA is expected to provide Palestinians in Gaza with medicines, medical equipment, food and other necessities worth eight million dirhams (2.18 million dollars).
Israel started launching air strikes against Gaza on Saturday morning, which Israel said was aimed at halting nearly daily cross- border rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
The coastal strip was under intensive Israeli air strikes for the third successive day on Monday, during which at least 345 Palestinians have so far been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in the powerful offensive, according to Palestinian security sources.