MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has delivered to Egypt more than 18 tons of humanitarian aid for the population of the Gaza Strip, the press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry told TASS.

"An IL-76 aircraft of the Russian Emergencies Ministry has delivered another batch of humanitarian aid to the population of the Gaza Strip. Russian rescuers handed over 18 tons of humanitarian cargo to representatives of the Egyptian Red Crescent. This aid will later be sent to the residents of the Gaza Strip," the press service said, adding that since the beginning of the humanitarian mission, 16 Emergencies Ministry aircraft have delivered about 370 tons of food, medicines, clothes and other necessities.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.