The first sea shipment of food for Gaza departed from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of a new maritime corridor to deliver aid to Palestinians in need. The ship, provided by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, was carrying about 200 tons of rice, flour, and other essential food items from World Central Kitchen, a charity organization.
This historic shipment comes at a critical time, as the United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of starvation due to a near-total blockade and months of Israeli bombardment. The situation is especially dire in the north of Gaza, where aid operations have been suspended due to restrictions on convoys and poor road conditions.
Efforts to deliver aid by land have been insufficient, prompting multinational initiatives to use sea and air routes. The United States, Britain, the European Union, and other governments have pledged to establish a maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza. The U.S. military is even planning to build a floating pier to facilitate these deliveries.
While the first sea shipment is a promising start, challenges remain in unloading and distributing the aid once it reaches Gaza. The World Central Kitchen team, led by renowned chef José Andrés, has been working to build a jetty in Gaza to receive the supplies. The journey from Cyprus to Gaza is approximately 240 miles and could take longer depending on weather conditions.
The ship was carrying a variety of food items, including rice, flour, lentils, canned beans, tuna, beef, and chicken. The United Arab Emirates is providing financing and logistical support for the operation. Since October, World Central Kitchen has served over 34 million meals in Gaza and aims to distribute even more in the future.
European officials have welcomed the news of the ship’s departure, emphasizing the importance of a sustained flow of aid to Gaza. The establishment of the maritime corridor could provide a regulated and robust means of delivering essential supplies to those in need. This initiative represents a lifeline for civilians in Gaza and a beacon of hope in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
