Gaza Receives First Humanitarian Aid Shipment via Sea
GAZA — The shores of Gaza welcomed the arrival of the first maritime humanitarian aid shipment, unloaded to provide much-needed relief to the region.
The US charity, World Central Kitchen, spearheaded the mission in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, delivering 200 tons of essential food supplies to a Gaza teetering on the brink of famine, as reported by the UN.
Accusations have been leveled against Israel for obstructing aid deliveries, an allegation vehemently denied by Israeli authorities. They assert that aid is being allowed through two crossings in the south, attributing any delays to logistical challenges faced by aid agencies.
The Gaza Strip has endured extensive devastation following Israeli military operations triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages. The Health Ministry, under Hamas, reports over 31,400 fatalities since the conflict began.
The aid-laden Spanish charity ship, Open Arms, arrived on Saturday, carrying a cargo including beans, carrots, tuna, chickpeas, rice, and other staples crucial for sustenance. The shipment, having undergone inspection in Cyprus, signifies a trial run to assess the efficacy of sea routes compared to air and land transport.
World Central Kitchen confirmed that all cargo had been successfully offloaded and prepared for distribution in Gaza, with teams working tirelessly through the night to ensure timely delivery. In the absence of a functional port, a makeshift jetty was constructed to facilitate the unloading process.
While details on the aid distribution mechanism remain scarce, the hope is that this successful mission will pave the way for additional aid ships to navigate the newly opened sea route directly to Gaza. Plans for a US-built floating dock to enhance sea deliveries are also in motion.
Amid escalating tensions, the need for urgent action to prevent famine in Gaza is underscored by the UN, with EU officials accusing Israel of exacerbating a “manmade” crisis and employing starvation as a weapon of war. Ongoing military operations by the Israeli army continue to claim lives, prompting calls for a ceasefire as negotiations persist.
