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 provide aid to Palestinians on the brink of starvation. The ship, carrying 200 tons of rice, flour, and other essentials from World Central Kitchen, was provided by the Spanish aid group Open Arms and authorized by the European Union.
With Gaza facing a near-total blockade and recent Israeli bombardment, the United Nations has warned of famine in the region. Aid groups have struggled to deliver supplies by land, prompting multinational efforts to establish sea and air routes for aid delivery. The United States, Britain, the European Union, and others have pledged support for the maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza.
While the first shipment is a pilot project, more are expected to follow. However, challenges remain in unloading and distributing the aid once it reaches Gaza. World Central Kitchen has started building a jetty in Gaza to receive the supplies, but the exact location has not been disclosed.
The ship’s journey from Cyprus to Gaza typically takes 15 to 17 hours, but could be longer depending on weather conditions and the ship’s load. The shipment includes rice, flour, lentils, canned goods, and more, with financing and support from the United Arab Emirates.
Since October, World Central Kitchen has served over 34 million meals in Gaza and established community kitchens managed by Palestinians. European officials have welcomed the news of the ship’s departure, emphasizing the importance of a sustained flow of aid to Gaza through the maritime corridor.
As efforts continue to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the first sea shipment of food represents a crucial step in providing much-needed support to the region.
