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Global unions, led by the International Transport Federation, are supporting the relief effort in Gaza by donating funds to send truckloads of medical supplies to the war-torn territory.

The ITF is coordinating the union-led effort after more than 1,200 deaths since the beginning of an assault by Israeli forces in July.

With the help of the Gaza Bus Drivers Union, the ITF has already sent one truck into Gaza, where the materials have been donated to the UNWRA relief fund and a Jordanian organisation that operates a mobile ambulance service in the Palestinian territory.

UNI is calling on all of its affiliates to make urgent contributions to the ITF-led humanitarian relief initiative. Donations can be made here. All trucking is being provided free of charge so all donations go directly towards medical supplies.

Unions around the world are uniting in calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade which is imprisoning 1.9 million people. Workers have joined in expressing their horror at the destruction of civilian and UN Infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and Gaza’s only power plant. In a statement, the ITUC says the excessive attacks are “unjustifiable, totally disproportionate, and have brought condemnation from even Israel’s closest allies.”

UNI is joining the ITUC and other global organisations in calling on governments to help broker an immediate, negotiated cease fire. Attacks on civilians are against international law and UNI supports the UN call for accountability and justice.