Food Aid Convoy Departs from Cyprus to Gaza
Food Convoy Departure
On Saturday, ships carrying 332 tons of food for Gaza set sail from Cyprus’s Larnaca port in a convoy bound for the besieged enclave. The journey is expected to reach Gaza early next week, providing much-needed relief to the starving Palestinian population.
Second Shipment
This marks the second shipment this month after Israel relaxed its 17-year naval blockade on Gaza to allow aid from Cyprus. The food, sourced by U.S. charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), will be delivered to Gaza via a cargo ship and a barge towed by a salvage vessel, accompanied by a support team on a tugboat. The journey is estimated to take approximately 60 hours.
Facilitated Aid Delivery
Authorities in Cyprus, in collaboration with Israel, have established a maritime corridor to streamline the transportation of pre-screened cargoes directly to Gaza. WCK, in partnership with Spain’s Open Arms charity and with funding mainly from the UAE, orchestrated this mission with the support of Cypriot authorities.
Humanitarian Efforts
WCK has been actively involved in Gaza, with previous missions involving the construction of makeshift jetties to offload food shipments. The current convoy includes essential equipment like forklifts and a crane to facilitate future marine deliveries. Additionally, the United States plans to construct a floating pier off Gaza to receive aid, potentially by mid-April.
Urgent Situation
The United Nations has issued warnings about an impending famine in the northern Gaza Strip, where 300,000 people are trapped. With more than half of Gaza’s population facing potential famine by July, the need for humanitarian aid is critical.
Aid agencies emphasize that while sea deliveries are crucial, additional aid must be allowed to arrive by land to meet the growing needs of the population. U.N. officials have accused Israel of hindering humanitarian supplies to Gaza, leading to a dire situation for the residents.
