The departure of the OPEN ARMS from the port of Larnaca yesterday morning essentially inaugurates and officially establishes the humanitarian corridor for aid transportation to Gaza.
The European Union, the United Nations, and other countries are sending specialists to Cyprus, as the continuation is expected to be much more intense regarding the mission of delivering aid to the Palestinian enclave.
Based at the “Zenon” Center, according to information from Phileleftheros, six specialists from the European Union’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) service will be involved in the entire process of transporting aid to Gaza.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ UNOPS service is bolstering its personnel presence with another four specialists, bringing the total number to six.
Representatives from national agencies of other countries are expected in Cyprus due to the anticipated continuous flow of aid to Gaza.
With the completion of OPEN ARMS’ first journey to Gaza, the implementation of the next phase is expected, which is the arrival of another ship in Cyprus.
Simultaneously, humanitarian aid collected on the island is constantly multiplying.
Work has begun on the shores of the Palestinian enclave to facilitate the transfer of aid (food, medicine, etc.) to the land, and subsequently to be distributed to civilians in northern Gaza.
An American military unit is expected to arrive in the area to undertake the construction of a jetty.
In Strasbourg, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, from the platform of the European Parliament, highlighted President Christodoulides’ contribution to the construction of this corridor.
As the Commission President emphasized, Cyprus’s maritime humanitarian corridor plays its role in this regard.
“As we speak, a ship is departing from Cyprus to northern Gaza. It carries the most basic humanitarian aid, which is almost indispensable today – food, just food for a population facing a humanitarian catastrophe,” von der Leyen said from the EP podium.
“This maritime corridor is the result of an unprecedented collaboration, under the leadership of President Nikos Christodoulides,” she continued.
“We have worked hand in hand not only with Cyprus but also with the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the United Kingdom,” she continued.
“I was at the port of Larnaca a few days ago to witness the final preparations before the ship’s departure,” she said, noting that when this maritime corridor becomes fully operational, it will guarantee a continuous, regulated, and robust flow of aid to Gaza. The President of the European Commission also noted that this is the first time a ship has been authorized to deliver aid to Gaza since 2005.
In Nicosia, the government spokesman emphasized that Operation Amalthea will continue and intensify with the aim of further strengthening humanitarian aid sent to the civilian population of Gaza.
Government Spokesperson Kostantinos Letymbiotis reminded that Cyprus, as an EU member state in the region, has taken the initiative for the maritime corridor since the beginning of the current humanitarian crisis, based on international humanitarian law and in response to its ethical obligations, grounded on its geographical proximity, excellent relations with all directly involved parties, and reliability.
Asked if the government feels that some are left exposed regarding the plans for the ship, the Spokesperson said, “From the very beginning, the Government took the initiative, drafted a very specific plan, which it presented to international forums, as well as to the European Council. It took a lot of effort, persistence on our part to convince some outside Cyprus and, unfortunately, even within Cyprus. What we are pleased to announce today is a substantial initiative that gives life to civilians in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
