Cyprus proposes a sea corridor to deliver aid to Gaza

AP , Tuesday 31 Oct 2023

Cyprus is working out logistics with partners in the European Union and the Middle East to establish a sea corridor to deliver a stream of vital humanitarian aid to Gaza from the island’s main port of Limassol once the situation on the ground permits it, authorities said Tuesday.

Palestinian children receive food at a United Nations school in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip. A
Palestinian children receive food at a United Nations school in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

 

A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to publicly discuss details of the proposal, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “wasn’t opposed” to the idea pitched by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides last week.

Gaza’s humanitarian needs have escalated after the war erupted on Oct. 7, which according to the Palestainian health ministry, left at least 8,306 Palestinians, including 3,457 children.

The underlying premise of Cyprus’ proposal is to have a constant flow of large quantities of assistance delivered by sea during what the official called “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting to enable aid to reach those in need.

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