An aid vessel, carrying 200 tonnes of food to help combat the impending famine situation in the Gaza Strip, was scheduled to set sail from Cyprus on Sunday, according to a representative from the government. There had been several hours of uncertainty before the news was confirmed. The exact departure time, however, would remain undisclosed due to “security concerns”, as affirmed by Cyprus government’s spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
The first consignment of goods, expected to reach a concealed location in Gaza in two or three days’ time, was eagerly awaited by the World Central Kitchen (WCK), an American non-governmental organization, and the Spanish charity, Open Arms, both dedicated to assisting refugees and migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean. The shipment from Larnaca incorporated various items such as rice, flour, lentils, canned fish and meat, and beans to be sent via an Open Arms vessel.
Even with the urge for maritime support due to interruption in ceasefire talks and the arrival of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the ship remained parked in Cyprus by Sunday evening. All cargo had been inspected by Cypriot officers following a plan given a green light by Israel, remarked Mr. Letymbiotis.
Linda Roth, who spoke on behalf of WCK, declined to provide all the logistical details, mentioning an “unstable and changeable situation”. She, however, assured that Open Arms, towing a freight, would start their journey at the earliest possibility. Anticipating to send an additional 500 tonnes of help, financed by the United Arab Emirates, Roth also noted that work had commenced for a jetty where the aid can be received.
In concurrent news, a US military ship transporting materials to construct a second temporal pier in Gaza was on its way to the Mediterranean, officials in Washington confirmed, though it might be several weeks before the harbor is operational.
The delayed departure of the aid ship underscores the challenges associated with unconventional aid delivery methods to Gaza. Israel has consistently faced criticism for not adequately facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Lack of operational ports and shallow coastal waters make maritime operations difficult; it’s also uncertain how the new “sea highway” will impact the extreme humanitarian conditions on site.
The United Nations reports that a quarter of the population in the Palestinian territory, currently under siege, is on the verge of starvation after five months of conflict. Over the past week and a half, the local health authority confirmed 23 deaths resulting from extreme dehydration or malnutrition, with several children among the deceased.
Humanitarian aid organisations are facing considerable challenges in delivering crucial aid to the most affected regions due to a mix of difficult logistics, collapse of law and order, and prolonged red tape enforced by Israel.
While Israel expressed support for aid delivery via the sea, it mandated inspection of all cargo intended for Gaza before it departs from the nearby staging area in Cyprus.
The primary challenge lies in the fact that only two entry points into the afflicted coastal territory lie in the distant south, forcing aid convoys to cross up to 25 miles (40km) of demolished infrastructure under persisting threat of looting to reach Gaza City and the northern regions of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabaliya. These areas are grappling with the worst conditions. Regular blocking or delays by Israeli forces have further complicated numerous convoy operations. – Guardian