A HAZLEMERE charity has sent thousands of pounds to help get aid to people living in Gaza.

BibleLands, a Christian charity which works in the Middle East, has released £10,000 to help get much needed aid to the Al Ahli Hospital in the territory.

Nearly 1,000 people in the region are believed to have died since fighting between Palestinian Hamas and Israeli forces intensifed on December 27.

The money has been sent to the Diocese of Jerusalem, which is helping the relief effort by supplying aid trucks which are allowed into the area for three hours every day.

Nigel Edward-Few, BibeLands chief executive said: “After communicating with the Hospital in Gaza over the past week we have been advised not to make payments directly into their bank accounts as the banks in Gaza do not have the physical cash to pay out.

“Even if the money were available, there is little or nothing to buy in Gaza.

“It is impossible for us to imagine the true extent of the crisis in Gaza and we are keen to make sure we support our partners in the most effective way possible.”

The charity, which is based in Old Kiln Lane, was founded in 1854 during the Crimean War, and now works with 40 agencies in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.