Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT) have distributed $135,000 worth of cash on in Gaza to 130 Palestinian families.

The families were chosen from those most hit by recent Israeli offensive on the coastal enclave. The donations were distributed in co-ordination with the Al-Imdaad Foundation from South Africa.

UWT rentatives have recently travelled to Egypt and Jordan. They have purchased medical equipment worth $350,000 and will be going to Gaza within the next few days.

Subhi al Sammuni, dean of al-Sammuni clan, valued the donations offered by UWT. Twenty-nine people from al-Sammuni clan were killed by Israeli artillery and missile shelling targeting a house they were forced by Israeli troops to gather in.

Speaking on behalf of 30 families that received cash donation from UWT, Sammuni said "We appreciate the trust and its officials for this generous support. We call upon Palestinian, Arab and international organisations to follow suit UWT. "In kind aids are needed but cash assistance is much more urgent," he said.

Iyad al-Jaru, a member of the committee representing the damaged families in eastern Gaza expressed deep thanks and gratitude to the UWT which offered this immediate financial support. "This is a step in the right direction," he said.

What is required from the welfare societies is to donate to the ruined families who have lost their homes, food and clothes. "The relief supplies offered to the people here are being distributed haphazardly," he said calling for providing funds to the families affected by the Israeli attack."