Cyprus has dispatched 1,200 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea via the Israeli port of Ashdod, its Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, the pre-screened cargo will bypass additional security checks upon arrival in Ashdod and will be distributed by international humanitarian organisation World Central Kitchen. The entire operation is being carried out under the auspices of the United Nations’ delivery mechanism.
The aid mission comes as Gaza reels from nearly two years of Israeli military operations, which have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and saw around 250 taken hostage, has left the enclave in ruins. Israel maintains that its offensive is an act of self-defence.
In addition to the staggering death toll, Gaza faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with widespread food shortages and severe delays in aid delivery. Health officials report that over 200 people have died from malnutrition or starvation since the war began.
Cyprus and Malta provided the bulk of the shipment, supported by contributions from the United States, Italy, Kuwait, and the Sovereign Order of Malta. The United Arab Emirates also played a crucial role in the operation, Cyprus said.
Cyprus has previously served as a key hub for channeling aid to Gaza and reaffirmed that its facilities remain available for international humanitarian efforts. Meanwhile, discussions are underway for a potential 60-day ceasefire after earlier truce talks collapsed in late July.
Written By Rodney Mbua
