Palestine

EU humanitarian chief urges Israel to boost land access to Gaza

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EU humanitarian chief urges Israel to boost land access to Gaza

– Air drops and a maritime corridor are insufficient to replace the supplies usually transported by trucks into Gaza, according to the European Union’s top humanitarian aid official.
– Janez Lenarcic, the EU’s humanitarian aid and crisis management chief, emphasized that land routes are the most efficient way to deliver supplies to Gaza.
– Lenarcic warned of a famine risk in Gaza, with credible indications of existing famine pockets.
– Gaza has been isolated since Israel’s war with Hamas began following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
– The United Nations estimates over half a million people in Gaza, out of a population of 2.3 million, are on the brink of starvation, with child malnutrition levels being extremely high, especially in the northern part of Gaza.
– Lenarcic called for a surge in humanitarian aid and its distribution within Gaza, stressing the importance of land access and urging Israel to open additional land crossings.
– Officials from the European Union, the United States, the United Nations, Britain, Cyprus, the UAE, and Qatar discussed establishing a maritime aid corridor from Cyprus amid international pressure on Israel to alleviate hunger in Gaza.
– A shipment from the U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen, carrying 200 million tons of aid, departed from Cyprus to Gaza earlier in the week.

Amalthea Gaza aid operation to be intensified, Spokesman says

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Amalthea Gaza aid operation to be intensified, Spokesman says

The “Amalthea” humanitarian aid operation for Gaza, announced by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, will be continued and intensified to deliver more aid to the civilian population. Cyprus has developed an additional tool to supplement existing aid channels, requiring collaboration with regional and international partners for maritime resources, safe transport, and distribution of aid to Gaza. The first aid ship from Larnaca marks the activation of the Amalthea Plan, establishing a systematic maritime corridor for humanitarian aid. The initiative has been welcomed by the President of the European Commission and involves joint efforts with countries like the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, utilizing its geographical proximity and relations, champions this maritime corridor based on international humanitarian law. Greece is among the countries supporting this initiative, having signed the Joint Declaration issued on 8 March. The initiative has been presented in international forums and to the European Council, aiming to enhance Cyprus’s role in the region and provide life-saving aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip. Letymbiotis also denied claims about Israel’s interest in purchasing a port in Cyprus, calling the report unfounded and false.

First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port in pilot project [PHOTOS+VIDEO]

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First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port in pilot project [PHOTOS+VIDEO]

A ship carrying nearly 200 tons of food aid for Gaza departed from a port in Cyprus early on Tuesday, marking a pilot project to establish a new maritime route for delivering aid to the region’s population facing famine. The vessel, Open Arms, operated by the Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms, was towing a barge filled with flour, rice, and protein. The journey to Gaza, which is over 200 miles (322 km) from Cyprus, typically takes about 15 hours, but the heavy tow could extend the travel time to up to two days. This mission is primarily funded by the United Arab Emirates and organized by the U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), aiming to create a “maritime highway” for continuous food aid to Gaza. WCK has an additional 500 tons of aid in Cyprus ready for dispatch. The initiative seeks to directly deliver aid to Gaza, which has been isolated since a naval blockade was imposed by Israel in 2007 following Hamas’s control of the enclave. WCK is also working on constructing a landing jetty in Gaza using materials from destroyed buildings to facilitate aid delivery. This effort is separate from a U.S. plan announced last week to build a temporary pier in Gaza. The aid cargoes will undergo security inspections in Cyprus, involving Israeli personnel, to expedite delivery without the need for further screenings at the destination.

Aid ship leaves Cyprus bound for Gaza as Palestinians on brink of famine

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Aid ship leaves Cyprus bound for Gaza as Palestinians on brink of famine

– A ship carrying almost 200 tonnes of food for Gaza left Cyprus on Tuesday, aiming to open a new sea route to deliver aid to Palestinians.
– The charity ship Open Arms was seen sailing out of Larnaca port in Cyprus, towing a barge containing flour, rice, and protein.
– The journey to Gaza takes about 15 hours, but with a heavy tow barge, it could take up to 2 days.
– Cyprus is just over 200 miles (320 km) north-west of Gaza.
– The U.S. military’s vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, was also en route to provide humanitarian relief to Gaza by sea.
– The U.S. military parachuted more than 27,600 meals and 25,900 bottles of water into northern Gaza.
– The U.N. estimates a quarter of Gaza’s population is at risk of starvation.
– Jordanian state media reported seven humanitarian air drops on Monday, with Jordan, the U.S., Egypt, France, Belgium, and Morocco participating.
– The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people.
– Palestinian media reported that seven Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli gunfire in Gaza City early on Tuesday.
– United Nations chief Antonio Guterres appealed for a truce and the removal of obstacles to life-saving aid.
– Hamas killed 1,200 people in an Oct. 7 attack on Israel and took 253 hostages.
– Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians.
– Israel was checking if it had killed Hamas’s deputy military leader, Marwan Issa, in an airstrike in Gaza.
– Marwan Issa is known as the ‘Shadow Man’ and is second-in-command of Hamas’s military wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades.
– Negotiations on a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas remain deadlocked in Cairo.
– An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City killed 16 people and wounded several others.
– The Israeli military said its forces killed about 15 militants in central Gaza.
– Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched several drones at an outpost in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
– Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea toward merchant vessel Pinocchio, with no injuries or damage reported.

Israel checking reports that Hamas’ military No 2 killed in Gaza strike

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Israel checking reports that Hamas’ military No 2 killed in Gaza strike

Israel was investigating whether Marwan Issa, Hamas’s second-highest military leader, died in an air strike on the Al-Nusseirat camp in central Gaza. The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, resulted in five fatalities. Issa is a key figure in Hamas’s military wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades. His death could impact efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war, which has lasted more than five months, causing significant casualties and destruction. The conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7, leading to over 31,000 Palestinian deaths and nearly 73,000 injuries. Negotiations for a ceasefire are ongoing, with involvement from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Additionally, an Israeli air strike in Gaza City killed 16 people in the Abu Shammala family’s house. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with a significant humanitarian crisis unfolding. Aid efforts are being made, including the dispatch of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel checking if top Hamas militant killed in air strike

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Israel checking if top Hamas militant killed in air strike

The Israeli military is investigating if Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas militant, was killed in an air strike in Gaza, as reported by Haaretz. The strike targeted a site in Nusseirat, central Gaza, based on intelligence indicating Issa’s presence there. Issa is considered the second-in-command of Hamas’ armed wing and is on Israel’s most-wanted list alongside Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar for their roles in planning an attack on southern Israel on October 7, which led to the Gaza war. His death could affect ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.

Gaza humanitarian aid leaving Larnaca port this afternoon

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Gaza humanitarian aid leaving Larnaca port this afternoon

Cyprus will send 150 tonnes of humanitarian aid, mostly food, to Gaza from Larnaca port this afternoon. The departure time is not disclosed for security reasons. The aid is part of the Amaltheia maritime corridor initiative, aiming to address the humanitarian crisis in the region. The shipment has received approval from Israel and will be loaded onto the ‘MMS ARIS’ floating platform due to Gaza’s lack of port infrastructure.

Aid ship heads to Gaza

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Aid ship heads to Gaza

The maritime corridor for humanitarian aid from Cyprus to Gaza is likely to be launched on Sunday, as stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Larnaca after inspecting the port installations with President Nikos Christodoulides. The Amalthea Initiative, aimed at delivering aid to Gaza following five months of war, was led by Cyprus and supported by the EU, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and the U.K. The first vessel, belonging to the Spanish NGO Open Arms, is anchored in Larnaca, ready to deliver food and supplies provided by the World Central Kitchens charity. The U.S. military plans to set up a temporary port off Gaza’s coast to support the initiative, as announced by President Joe Biden. The Cyprus maritime corridor intends to scale up aid by complementing other routes, including the Rafah crossing from Egypt and airdrops from Jordan. The UN Special Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, plays a crucial role in coordinating humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The European Commission President emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for aid, mentioning Europe’s financing of a major humanitarian effort for Palestinians in Gaza and the region, amounting to €250 million this year. The EU has launched 41 flights carrying over 1,800 tonnes of aid and is considering all options, including airdrops. The EU naval force operation Aspides was launched to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea amid deteriorating maritime security. Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of preparing for a viable two-state solution, calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, opposing forced displacement of Palestinians and the blockade of Gaza, and condemning Gaza as a safe haven for terrorists.

Israel strikes landmark residential tower in southern Rafah as truce talks stall [PHOTOS]

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Israel strikes landmark residential tower in southern Rafah as truce talks stall [PHOTOS]

Israel conducted a strike on one of the largest residential towers in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. The 12-floor building, which housed around 300 residents and was situated approximately 500 meters from the Egyptian border, sustained damage. Although no casualties were reported, the strike rendered dozens of families homeless. Residents received a 30-minute warning before the building was hit, leading to a chaotic evacuation. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident. This action is part of a broader conflict that has seen nearly 31,000 Palestinians killed and over 72,500 wounded in five months, with thousands trapped under rubble. The ongoing offensive has significantly impacted Gaza, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in the territory, which has been under a blockade for 17 years. The conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages taken, according to Israeli reports. Negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages have faced challenges. The cost of rebuilding Gaza is estimated to exceed billion. In recent operations, the Israeli military reported conducting arrests, locating weapons, and killing over 30 fighters in various locations in Gaza. The Gaza health ministry reported at least 82 people killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the last day.