The first planeload of humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza has been delivered as part of a trade union relief operation.

An Airbus 310 organised and loaded by Jordan's General Trade Union of Workers' in Air Transport and Tourism and the International Transport Workers' Federation landed at Al-Areesh airport, Egypt, containing three ambulances, medical supplies, food and water. The cargo was handed over to the Red Crescent for onward distribution in Gaza later the same day. The aircraft was made available free for the flight by Royal Jordanian Airlines.

The ITF is also contributing $10,000 which will cover the discounted cost of chartering a second cargo plane of supplies donated by contributions from ITUC and GUF affiliates.

"We are also arranging to fly flak jackets for media workers arranged by the International Federation of Journalists," said ITF General Secretary David Cockroft.

Bilal Malkawi, ITF Representative for the Arab World, who was on the aircraft - which he and Jordanian trade unionists helped load - described the cargo: "We've collected what was most urgently requested by medics in Gaza. Mostly non-perishable items - examination tables, beds, wheelchairs, swabs, casts and splints for broken limbs. Plus bottled water, milk for babies, rice, wheat, and children's food."

The international trade union movement, including the ITF, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the Palestinian and Jordanian trade union congresses (PGFTU and GFJTU), have all backed a call for trade unions to sponsor humanitarian relief aid to Gaza.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow also called for a ceasefire last week, while applauding trade unions in their co-operative efforts for peace, for decent work, sustainable jobs and livelihoods, and for social and political rights for workers in the region.

The ACTU aid arm Union Aid Abroad has set up the Gaza Emergency Appeal and donations are going directly to the El Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital in southern Gaza, which has a rapidly increasing caseload of civilians with serious injuries.

"The people of Gaza who have been suffering so long without food, fuel, water and medicines, and without the ability to travel outside their enclave, must be able to receive essential humanitarian supplies from the United Nations and the international community," Sharan Burrow said. Apheda donations for Gaza can be made by this link; http://www.apheda.org.au

Two rallies will be held over the coming week-to call for the war on Gaza to stop. These will be held as follows:

Sunday 18 January, 2.00pm, State Library of Victoria;

Friday 23 January, 5.30pm, State Library of Victoria;