The United Nations has reported a significant drop in humanitarian aid entering Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the region. The daily average of aid trucks reaching Gaza dropped by 67%, with only 58 trucks reaching the area from May 7 to Tuesday. Israel has stated that it is committed to facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza despite ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Workers at Kition Ocean Holdings, operator of the Larnaca marina and port concession, will be rehired by the state, securing 70 jobs just before the next mayoral and European elections.
Israel allowed around 200 aid trucks into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, bypassing the blocked Rafah crossing. The aid shipments were agreed upon between U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Israel is facing pressure to provide more aid to Gaza after months of conflict causing destruction and hunger. The Rafah crossing has been closed for almost three weeks, with Egypt refusing to open its side. Israel has opened new crossing points and is cooperating with the United States to distribute supplies. Israeli strikes in Rafah have killed at least five Palestinians, with ongoing operations to root out Hamas fighters and rescue hostages. Efforts to agree on a ceasefire and return hostages have been ongoing, with some movement after meetings between Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials and the prime minister of Qatar. Hamas demands the complete and permanent end of aggression in all of Gaza, not just Rafah. Israel insists the war will not end until Hamas is eliminated.
The US is working to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza through various routes, including the sea lane from Larnaca, according to US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher. The construction of a floating platform for aid delivery is in its final stages, and efforts are being made to ensure that aid reaches Gaza as soon as possible.
A US-built floating pier in Gaza will be completed soon to help with humanitarian aid shipments from Cyprus. The pier will make it easier to unload aid from ships and transfer it directly to trucks for distribution on land. The route between Cyprus and Gaza is important for delivering international aid.
– Nikos Christodoulides and Ursula von der Leyen are traveling to Lebanon to address the migration issue with a 400 million euro assistance package.
– The completion of the Gaza pier is imminent, allowing for humanitarian aid shipments to resume.
– María Angela Holguín Cuéllar’s visit to Cyprus is crucial for addressing the Cyprus problem and potentially restarting talks.
Relief for aid-stricken Palestinians in the Gaza strip could reach about 1,500 tonnes a week once a U.S.-built jetty is operational, with international donors coming forward to finance the infrastructure, including a million donation from the United Arab Emirates to the Amaltheia Fund.
Aid shipments to Gaza from Cyprus are expected to resume soon following a pause in the project due to the killing of seven aid workers by Israel. The U.S. plans to set up a dock in Gaza for pre-screened aid deliveries with Israeli oversight. The devastated Palestinian enclave faces famine and disease after six months of conflict. The aid stored in Cyprus will be held until World Central Kitchen decides on next steps.