Israel

Cabinet approves subsidy for relatives of patients sent abroad

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Cabinet approves subsidy for relatives of patients sent abroad

The Cabinet of Cyprus approved a plan to cover the travel, accommodation, and food expenses of one family member accompanying a patient sent abroad for medical treatment. This coverage is for families with an annual household income of under €100,000 and for all minor patients regardless of income. The policy will start next Tuesday and is expected to cost €4.5 million annually. Last year, 1,523 patients from Cyprus were sent abroad for treatment to countries including Germany, Israel, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, and Greece, for various specialized treatments. The Health Ministry has developed collaborations with leading hospitals across Europe to facilitate these treatments.

ANALYSIS-Biden-Netanyahu rift raises questions about US weapons to Israel

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ANALYSIS-Biden-Netanyahu rift raises questions about US weapons to Israel

A rift has developed between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over potential military actions in Gaza, particularly concerning a ground offensive in the south of the enclave. This situation has led to discussions within the U.S. administration about possibly leveraging military aid to encourage Israel to facilitate humanitarian relief in Gaza and minimize civilian casualties in its conflict with Hamas. Despite Biden’s historical support for Israel, he has shown signs of frustration with Netanyahu’s responses and has not ruled out the possibility of conditioning military aid on Israel’s actions, especially regarding an invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. The U.S. has begun airdropping humanitarian supplies into Gaza and plans to build a floating aid dock off the Gaza coast. Conversations have occurred within the U.S. State Department about limiting military aid to Israel, though this idea has not gained traction among senior leadership. Biden’s approach to the situation is influenced by his 2024 re-election bid, aiming to balance support among pro-Israel voters and progressive Democrats. Public messaging from the U.S. has intensified following incidents that resulted in Palestinian civilian casualties.

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.

U.S. preparing new weapons package for Ukraine-officials

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U.S. preparing new weapons package for Ukraine-officials

The United States is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at up to 0 million. This package, the first in months, comes as additional funds for Kyiv are blocked by Republican leaders in Congress. The funding for this package is sourced from credits refunded to the Pentagon for recent purchases. U.S. President Joe Biden supports military aid to Ukraine, contrasting with his likely Republican opponent in the upcoming election, former president Donald Trump, who has a more isolationist stance. There is pressure on the House to pass a billion national security package that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, which has already cleared the Senate with a 70-29 vote. However, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted putting the aid bill up for a vote in the House.

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.

Cabinet to discuss subsidy for families of patients sent abroad

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Cabinet to discuss subsidy for families of patients sent abroad

President Nikos Christodoulides announced that the cabinet will discuss a plan to subsidize travel, accommodation, and food expenses for those accompanying people sent abroad for medical treatment. Additionally, a proposal to create a “patient advocate” will be discussed. Christodoulides emphasized the goal of eliminating the need to send patients abroad as a measure of success for the government and Cyprus, highlighting the importance of providing quality health services domestically. Health Minister Michalis Damianos reported that 1,523 patients were sent abroad from Cyprus last year for various specialized treatments, underlining the state’s responsibility to support these patients and the necessity of international collaborations for immediate patient transfer when needed.

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.