A shipment of humanitarian aid has set sail from a port in Cyprus bound for the newly constructed pier in Gaza, announced Cyprus’ foreign minister on Thursday. The vessel, organized by the US, is loaded with much-needed assistance and aims to provide relief to Gaza through a maritime corridor. This initiative follows a directive from US President Joe Biden to establish a large floating platform off the Gaza coast for aid deliveries.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the United Nations warning of an impending famine and Israeli troops evacuating thousands of Palestinians from the city of Rafah. Israel’s recent seizure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt has further hindered humanitarian efforts.
The possibility of an Israeli invasion of Rafah looms as international efforts for a ceasefire persist. Despite the urgency of aid delivery, humanitarians argue that sea shipments alone cannot adequately address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, stating the importance of land routes.
The closure of border crossings this week has exacerbated the situation, with aid groups warning of imminent shutdowns of vital services without immediate access to supplies. While Israel announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing, aid organizations report no trucks entering Gaza due to safety concerns for workers.
