Gaza has received its inaugural shipment of humanitarian aid via sea, as global powers escalate efforts to provide much-needed supplies to the besieged enclave.
The vessel, operated by the Spanish charity Open Arms, departed from Cyprus around 3:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday and reached the central shores of Gaza on Friday.
This aid delivery is intended to offer a meal for a quarter of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents, many of whom are teetering on the brink of famine.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), spearheading the initiative, stated that the maritime route will facilitate the distribution of “millions more” meals following the initial shipment.
The arrival of the aid ship coincides with collaborative efforts from the United States, the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom to establish maritime channels for direct aid delivery to Gaza.
WCK emphasized its collaboration with international partners to establish this aid corridor, with an additional 500 tons of aid in Cyprus awaiting transportation on future vessels.
Meanwhile, land crossings into Gaza, traditionally the main entry point for vital aid, remain heavily restricted by Israel.
Aid agencies have criticized Israel for imposing arbitrary and contradictory criteria hindering relief efforts in the war-ravaged territory.
Despite the desperate need for aid in Gaza, humanitarian organizations caution that maritime and air-dropped aid should complement land deliveries rather than replace them.
Many warn against the risk of undermining land-based aid and perpetuating hostilities.
