Humanitarian Mission Underway as Ship Prepares to Deliver Food to Gaza Amid Crisis

A ship loaded with humanitarian aid is preparing to depart from Cyprus to Gaza, marking a significant step in addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in the region. The vessel, Open Arms, a salvage ship operated by a Spanish NGO, will tow a barge carrying 200 tonnes of food provided by World Central Kitchen (WCK), mostly funded by the UAE.

The ship is currently docked in Larnaca, Cyprus, about 210 miles from Gaza, with an estimated 15-hour sea journey ahead. The European Commission aims to establish a maritime corridor for aid delivery, with hopes that it will be operational by Sunday. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed that the ship would leave within 24 hours, although the exact timing remains uncertain due to security reasons.

This shipment is crucial as Gaza faces severe food shortages and a looming famine, worsened by months of conflict and a lack of proper port infrastructure. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are displaced, and aid deliveries via land checkpoints have been slow, with bottlenecks severely limiting access. This sea corridor, alongside other aid efforts like airdrops, is seen as a vital lifeline for those in need.