CAIRO/LARNACA, Cyprus. The European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Friday the imminent launch of a maritime aid corridor between Cyprus and Gaza, aimed at alleviating the escalating humanitarian crisis in the conflict-stricken Palestinian territory.
Von der Leyen’s statement followed President Joe Biden’s announcement of plans for the U.S. military to construct a “temporary pier” along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast, prompted by United Nations warnings of famine looming over Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants.
While negotiations for a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas have stalled in Cairo, urgent efforts are underway to broker a truce before the start of Ramadan, anticipated to commence on Sunday.
Speaking after inspecting facilities in Larnaca, Cyprus, EU Commission President von der Leyen revealed that a trial run of food aid organized by a charitable organization and backed by the United Arab Emirates could depart from Cyprus as early as Friday.
“We are launching this Cyprus maritime corridor together, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States,” she affirmed. “We are now very close to opening this corridor, hopefully this Saturday-Sunday, and I’m very glad to see an initial pilot will be launched today.”
Despite Biden’s description of the planned pier, U.S. officials caution that its construction may take several weeks. In the meantime, reports of malnutrition-related child fatalities in northern Gaza underscore the urgency of the situation. The U.N. emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the expansion of land routes for aid delivery.
Biden clarified that no U.S. troops would be deployed on the ground for the construction. However, the Pentagon anticipates a process lasting “likely up to 60 days,” involving around 1,000 troops, with none being stationed ashore.
“It’s going to take time to build,” noted British Foreign Minister David Cameron, urging Israel to facilitate aid deliveries via its Ashdod port north of Gaza in the interim.
Some humanitarian organizations argue that discussions of elaborate air and sea routes distract from Israel’s restriction of existing land access points.
“There’s an easier, more efficient way of bringing in assistance, and that is via the road crossings that connect Israel with Gaza,” remarked Juliette Touma, spokesperson for UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency for Palestinians.
Michael Fakhri, a U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food, branded the consideration of new aid routes to a blockaded territory as “absurd” and criticized the failure to address the root issue of access restrictions.
“From a humanitarian perspective, from an international perspective, from a human rights perspective, it is absurd in a dark, cynical way,” he asserted.
While Israel asserts it doesn’t hinder aid through southern Gaza checkpoints, humanitarian agencies contend that safe access remains a significant challenge in a conflict zone, with Israel bearing responsibility for ensuring unimpeded aid delivery.
