One month ago, the terrorist organisation Hamas attacked Israel with unprecedented violence. Hundreds of people were abducted by Hamas and taken to the Gaza Strip, where they are still being held. Austria stands in full solidarity with Israel and its people and demands the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.

However, Hamas continues to systematically use not only the hostages but also the Palestinian civilian population as human shields and deliberately sets up terrorist infrastructure in the vicinity of hospitals, schools and kindergartens. On the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, an international humanitarian conference for the civilian population of Gaza is being held in Paris today. Susanne Raab, Minister within the Federal Chancellery, is taking part on behalf of Austria.

We are working closely with our partners in the region to ensure that humanitarian aid can be provided to the Palestinian civilian population. It is essential that this support reaches the people in need and is not being diverted by the terrorist organisation Hamas or other terrorist organisations.

Austria provides the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with 2 million euros from the funds of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

We work together with internationally recognised aid organisations that know the needs on the ground best. In this way we can guarantee that our support for the Palestinian civilian population is in line with our relentless fight against terrorism and antisemitism,

states Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

The funds will support the IFRC in its work to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinian civilians on the ground. The IFRC supports the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the region in order to be able to respond to the current situation in the best possible way. In doing so, it is also making a significant contribution to stabilising the neighbouring states. This includes:

• Strengthening the capacity of the Egyptian Red Crescent to coordinate all aid deliveries in Egypt;
• Supporting the Lebanese Red Cross in responding to conflict-related incidents;
• Emergency planning for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Jordan National Red Crescent.

Austria is clearly committed to Israel's right to self-defence and condemns Hamas' terror in the strongest possible terms. I will also make this clear today in Paris. At the same time, Austria is providing humanitarian aid for the Palestinian population and is contributing an additional 2 million euros. By cooperating with international organisations, we ensure that the aid reaches the people directly and cannot be diverted by the terrorist organisation Hamas to finance its brutal, terrorist activities,

adds Susanne Raab, Minister within the Federal Chancellery.

Meanwhile, the thorough, result-oriented review of Austrian development funds for projects in Palestine is continuing.

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