On December 14, 2023 at the Summit, the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, proposed the creation of a maritime humanitarian corridor for the transfer of aid to Gaza. Just before three months have passed, on March 8, 2024, Ursula von der Leyen and Nikos Christodoulidis proceed from Larnaca to the official announcements for the launch of the application.
“Cyprus has always been a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. And thanks to the Amalthia initiative, it proves once again this historic role” was the message of the president of the Commission, who underlined on the one hand that “the maritime corridor can make a real difference to the plight of the Palestinian people”, pointing out however that it will continue providing aid to the Palestinians through all possible avenues.
Crisis management port the port of Larnaca
The port of Larnaca, from which the ships will depart, has been designated as a crisis management port, and in particular there is the possibility of isolating areas so that cargoes do not come into contact with the rest of the activity, while as stated by sources everything that leaves there is absolutely guaranteed from a safety point of view.
The ship Open Arms, which arrived in Cyprus three weeks ago as reported by the said NGO in its post on Platform X, will be the first ship to participate in the mission.
“The effort to establish a humanitarian sea corridor in Gaza is making progress and our tugboat is ready to board immediately, loaded with tons of food, water and vital supplies for Palestinian civilians,” Open Arms reports.
Nikos Christodoulidis, a few hours before the departure of the ship, attending the philological memorial service of Evagoras Pallikaridis, spoke of “a development – always modestly and humbly – what we say that our country can, yes, be a core of security and stability in wider area of the eastern Mediterranean, an area of particular geostrategic importance”.
Four channels for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza
The maritime humanitarian corridor is the fourth leg in the European effort to send humanitarian aid to Gaza.
One channel is about financial aid with Ursula von der Leyen stressing that “Europe is funding a major humanitarian aid effort for the Palestinians, in Gaza and the region – 250 million euros this year alone” while there have also been over 40 flights with supplies, most of which have left Egypt.
“We are always looking at expanding this toolbox. One way is through the maritime humanitarian corridor in Cyprus and the other way is through the organization of air aid operations,” noted the representative of the Commission, Balas Uzvari, clarifying at the same time that “air aid is the last resort. It does not replace humanitarian access from the ground, which remains absolutely necessary, and airdrops are for a limited amount of humanitarian aid.”
Last week, five people were killed and 10 injured in Gaza when they were hit because the aid parachute failed to open.
The draft conclusions of the Gaza Summit
At the same time and after repeated failed attempts to adopt conclusions on the Middle East, it seems that the “27” leaders of the EU member states seem determined to send a common message to the European Council on March 21 and 22.
According to draft conclusions seen by the Step, the leaders will reiterate their condemnation of the terrorist attacks by Hamas and that all hostages should be released unconditionally. In addition, reference is made to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the unprecedented loss of human life. Finally trying to go a step further and put an end to criticisms of disagreement even on whether to speak of a “cease” or “pauses”, the leaders aim to call “for an immediate humanitarian pause, which will lead to a sustainable ceasefire and ensuring the protection of all civilians”.
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