Initial humanitarian vessel departs Cyprus for Gaza

Departing from the southern city of Larnaca on Cyprus island, an aid ship owned by Open Arms is transporting approximately 200 tonnes of rice and flour to Gaza

In a significant move, the first humanitarian aid ship, carrying 200 tons of provisions and coordinated by World Food Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, has set sail from a southern Cyprus port route to Gaza.

This pioneering mission is part of a pilot program aimed at establishing a sea corridor to mitigate the severe consequences of the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict, which has pushed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the brink of starvation.

The vessel, attached to a ship from the Spanish aid group Open Arms, is expected to reach an undisclosed location on the Gaza coastline within the next two to three days.

‘A sign of hope’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed gratitude to the Greek Cyprus administration for establishing the crucial corridor, deeming the ship’s departure “a sign of hope” in a post on social media platform X.

She pledged collaborative efforts for subsequent ships to follow. Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the inaugural voyage as “one of hope and humanity,” providing a crucial lifeline to civilians in Gaza.

Reports from the United Nations reveal that a quarter of Gaza’s population is grappling with starvation, struggling to find enough food or afford it at inflated prices.

U.N. agencies and humanitarian groups argue that aid distribution within Gaza is hampered by security and logistics issues.

On the first day of Ramadan, children in refugee camps queued at a charity kitchen, receiving small portions of cooked carrots and sweet potatoes to break their dawn-to-dusk fast. 

Sanders questions Congress on Middle East crisis

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders confronted the ongoing Middle East humanitarian crisis in Congress, asking, “How can we turn a blind eye to the emaciated children and families bombed in their sleep while Congress feigns powerlessness?”

Sanders questioned the status quo, saying that the crisis was not natural but a man-made catastrophe that could be stopped with political will and courage.

“Do we have the courage to stand up to powerful special interests and prevent these kids from starving to death,” he added.

He emphasized the need for the U.S. government and Congress to wield their influence, asking if the U.S. could use its leverage over the Israeli government by stopping the funding for Israel.

Source: Newsroom

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