A ship from the NGO Open Arms is already on its way to Gaza. It left Cyprus today with a load of food and medicines supplied by the American organization World Central Kitchen, and tomorrow it will land near the coast of Gaza in the northern part of the Strip. American engineers will build the mobile port.
by Francesco Matera
Europe, the USA, Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates have launched an unprecedented humanitarian mission to help the civilian population in Gaza. From today, in fact, a maritime corridor is opening to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinians. This was announced by the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during a visit to Cyprus.
A ship from the NGO Open Arms is already on its way to Gaza. It left Cyprus today with a load of food and medicines supplied by the American organization World Central Kitchen, and tomorrow it will land near the coast of Gaza in the northern part of the Strip. A larger international humanitarian operation will begin in the coming days which should be able to meet the needs of the Palestinian people, already struggling with a serious famine.
The operation was launched on the initiative of the Biden Administration, with the convinced support of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Emirates and Greece. The main hub of the operation, called Amalthea, is the port of Cyprus, Larnaca. Port that will welcome the ships ready to leave for Gaza after having loaded food supplies and everything needed by the civilian population. Everything will be transported to the island by huge cargo planes, coming from foreign countries participating in the initiative.
In Cyprus, the Israeli military will check cargoes to avoid the smuggling of weapons or other dangerous materials.
From the Larnaca base, Italian and French ships, and perhaps even a German ship, will transfer food aid to the coast of the Gaza Strip, where there is currently no port infrastructure capable of accommodating cargo ships.
The US Army Corps of Engineers will begin building a temporary port in the northern part of the Gaza Strip in the coming days. Initial reports suggest the development near Wadi Gaza, the stream that has been turned by Israeli forces into a military separation line. The Pentagon estimates it will take several weeks to complete the operation, involving about 1.000 troops. No American military will be deployed on the ground, the Pentagon assures.
This means that the flow of aid by sea will not coincide with Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims which begins on March 10. Avoiding the distribution of aid to coincide with this period is important, since during Ramadan Muslims practice fasting during the day and celebrate with feasts during the night.
Military sources suggest that if a European mission were to be launched, Brussels' timeframe would be extended, but European coordination using individual countries' ships could begin within a week. The distribution of aid on the ground would be entrusted to the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent, and could represent a first test for collaboration with the local authorities in Gaza.
The Italian Parliament approved the operation last Tuesday "Get the Funds!” which aims to transport basic necessities to the civilian population of Gaza. The Italian military is also authorized to deliver aid by going ashore.
American cargo planes drop aid on Gaza
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