The first shipment of aid to reach Gaza by sea in almost two decades has been fully unloaded, marking a significant milestone in efforts to alleviate the enclave’s worsening food deprivation. The ship, named the Open Arms, brought about 200 tons of essential supplies such as rice, flour, lentils, canned tuna, beef, and chicken, all provided by the World Central Kitchen charity.
José Andrés, the renowned Spanish American chef who founded the World Central Kitchen, announced that the food would be distributed by truck to various areas in Gaza, including the north, which has been heavily impacted by recent Israeli airstrikes. However, the distribution process is overshadowed by a series of attacks that have resulted in the deaths and injuries of Palestinians in desperate need of food.
The latest incident occurred in Gaza City, where at least 20 people lost their lives after an aid convoy was attacked. Both Gazan health officials and the Israeli military have traded blame for the tragedy, with many details still unclear. Despite the challenges, the World Central Kitchen is loading a second supply ship in Cyprus, while the Israeli military has deployed forces to secure the area where the supplies were unloaded.
The 200 tons of food delivered by sea is just a fraction of what is needed to address the severe food crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has warned of a looming famine in the region, with children facing deepening food deprivation and alarming rates of malnutrition. The situation is expected to worsen as Israel plans a ground offensive in Rafah, a city where a significant portion of Gaza’s population is seeking shelter.
Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and prisoner exchange are underway, with Hamas updating its proposal to facilitate progress in the talks. Meanwhile, pressure mounts on Israel to open more land crossings to accelerate aid delivery, as sea and air transport are less efficient than truck deliveries.
The Open Arms is the first authorized vessel to deliver aid to Gaza since 2005, with plans to study the feasibility of establishing a maritime corridor for future supply missions. The United States is also leading an initiative to set up a floating pier off Gaza’s coastline to facilitate the transit of goods, aiming to provide two million meals a day for the population.
World Central Kitchen is gearing up to send a second ship with additional food supplies, including fresh dates donated by the United Arab Emirates. The charity has been actively providing aid through various means, including truck deliveries from Cairo and airdrops conducted by other countries. Despite the challenges, the organization remains committed to serving the people of Gaza in their time of need.
