Over the past few days Tel Aviv residents have been collecting food and clothing items, as well as toys and hygiene products for the benefit of Gaza's residents, many of whom have been left without the most basic supplies following Israel's three-week military offensive in the coastal enclave.

"Our goal is to help the residents of Gaza who are living under unbearable conditions," said Daphna Levy, one of the drive's organizers. "The situation we have left them in does not seem reasonable to us.

"The issue is purely humanitarian, not political," she added, "our volunteers come from a wide range of political affiliations."

The imminent transfer of the supplies to Gaza was made possible following negotiations between the "Ner Leshalom (Candle for Peace)" association and IDF officials.

Ido, a volunteer, said "we have all seen on TV what the price of war is; we know what it's like to be bombed."

According to him, some Israelis feel as though it is their duty to "compensate" the Palestinians in Gaza: "It's very simple – there's a war, there are victims and people are volunteering to help."