His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received representatives from Al Wiam Charitable Society (WCS) in the Gaza Strip.

The representatives came to Jordan to convey the Gazan orphans' gratitude, after His Majesty last month took responsibility for supporting 1,500 Gaza orphans.

The King’s decision, on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, was based on a report submitted by Jordan’s field hospital in Gaza, emphasising the plight of orphans who lost either one or both of their parents during the 23-day Israeli assault on Gaza that started on December 27, 2008.

During Monday's meeting, attended by Royal Court Chief Riyad Abu Karaki, WCS President Mohammad Abu Meri and the society’s secretary, Ayman Abu Shadaq, thanked the King on behalf of Gazan children.

The WCS representatives also briefed the King on the society’s charity activities and the work it is doing to support orphans, in addition to its future projects.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Abu Meri acknowledged the important role Jordan’s field hospital plays in providing healthcare to Gaza residents, pointing out that more than 600,000 Palestinian patients have received treatment at the hospital.

In light of the massive destruction caused by the Israeli military assault, Jordan set up a field hospital in the coastal enclave in January 2009 to offer medical care to the residents.

Also, a convoy arrived in Gaza on Monday to supply the field hospital, dubbed “Gaza 16”, according to Petra. The six-truck convoy was loaded with medical supplies and items needed to sustain the hospital’s services. Deployed around a month ago, “Gaza 16” has dealt with more than 28,000 cases and performed 55 major surgeries and 779 minor ones, according to the hospital director, Fawaz Sharfat.