STELCO donates MVR 500,000 to Palestine relief fund

State Electric Company (STELCO) has donated MVR 500,000 to provide aid to Palestinians, as Israel continues to bombard Gaza and raid the West Bank.

The donation to the Palestine emergency relief fund opened by the International Aid Campaign (IAC) was made during a ceremony held at STELCO’s board room on Monday.

The symbolic cheque was presented by STELCO’s managing director Ahmed Shareef to IAC’s chairman Ahmed Iqbal.

STELCO has kept a donation box at the office’s lobby to assist IAC’s efforts to raise funds for Palestine.

Over two weeks into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israel's bombardment and blockade of Gaza has continued, with over one million people displaced.

The fighting began on October 7, when Hamas initiated Operation Al Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al Aqsa Mosque, and increased violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in Gaza.

Over 5,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Israel’s response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007.