First aid ship for Gaza sets sail from Cyprus port

An aid ship, carrying 200 tons of food and headed for Gaza, embarked on Tuesday as part of a new initiative to establish a sea route to the region. The territory, significantly affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, is facing severe food shortages. The food, collected by World Food Kitchen, a charity founded by José Andrés, is transported on a barge attached to an Open Arms vessel. The shipment aims to reach an undisclosed area along Gaza’s coast within two to three days, targeting the northern part of Gaza.

The location remains confidential to prevent incidents like the tragic event on February 29, where Israeli forces engaged Palestinians rushing to an aid convoy in Gaza City, resulting in over 100 deaths. Meanwhile, the United States has also announced its intention to construct a sea bridge to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza, expected to take a few weeks to become operational.

The Cypriot government initially proposed using Cyprus as a launch point for maritime aid to Gaza, with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing support and hope for the initiative. This sea corridor initiative garners backing from the European Union, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, among others, aiming to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN reports a significant portion of the population faces starvation.

The conflict, ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 30,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced a vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Despite efforts to broker a cease-fire, negotiations have stalled, with Hamas seeking guarantees for a conclusive end to the conflict.

Aid delivery in Gaza is challenged by Israeli restrictions, the ongoing conflict, and the collapse of local law enforcement. The new sea route and additional airdrops of aid represent critical efforts to meet the urgent needs of Gaza’s civilians.

Once the ship approaches Gaza, it will be escorted to a jetty built by World Central Kitchen, with plans to distribute the food across Gaza through its network of kitchens. Israel has pledged to inspect the cargo before its departure, ensuring the effort’s transparency and security.

The ministry in Gaza reports that the Israeli response to Hamas’s initial attack has led to significant casualties, with a considerable portion being women and children. Israel attributes the high civilian toll to Hamas’s military tactics within populated areas.