SCOTTISH firefighters are donating a surplus fire engine to their counterparts in Gaza to help save lives amid the ongoing war.
The appliance will be fitted with the latest equipment and donated to the Palestinian Fire and Rescue Service by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) later this year.
It will be the third fire appliance donated since 2011 by the FBU, which has long provided support to the Palestinian fire service through exchange visits, training and the provision of breathing apparatus, firefighting kit and equipment.
The appliance which will travel to Gaza later this year has been donated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
READ MORE: Cuts to Scottish fire stations will risk lives, says union
Jim Malone, a former firefighter and an FBU official, said: “The situation in Gaza is appalling. The people are being subjected to unimaginable horrors on a daily basis. There is an urgent need for supplies to alleviate the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded.
“Our comrades in the Palestinian Fire and Rescue Service battle every hour to save lives as the Israeli government continues its collective punishment of the civilian population.
“Whilst carrying out their duties, they have come under sustained attacks from Israeli forces.
“We hope that the delivery of this fire appliance later this year will help protect the lives of innocent men, women and children, but our greatest hope is for a permanent peace and justice for the people of Palestine.”
Plans about how the fire appliance will travel to Gaza are still being made.
The Gaza health ministry said at least 31,645 Palestinians have been killed in the war which was sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people and saw militants seize about 250 hostages.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel