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.
World Central Kitchen suspended its operations in Gaza after seven of its aid workers were killed in an IDF strike. President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the maritime aid corridor will remain open despite the suspension.
Ankara has been trying to derail the ‘Amaltheia’ plan by seeking to sabotage any planning involving the Republic of Cyprus, with Turkish officials making arguments against the Cyprus maritime corridor. However, Washington has supported the Cypriot initiative and ignored Ankara’s attempts to persuade Arab governments that Cyprus is involved in transferring weapons to Israel. Turkey has also resorted to providing its own humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an attempt to block the maritime corridor. Despite this, ‘Amaltheia’ has received international support. Washington is attempting a rapprochement with Ankara, with Turkish President Tayip Erdogan scheduled to visit the States on May 9th. Cyprus has proven to be a trustworthy and reliable asset in the region.