GAZA: The delivery of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip from Cyprus continues to be delayed, with still no clarity as of Monday afternoon about when the Open Arms ship would leave the harbour in Larnaca.
Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on the radio that the delay is related to issues concerning the unloading and distribution of the aid supplies. "There have been problems with some of these issues," he said.
A second shipment of humanitarian aid is waiting at the port of Larnaca and could be delivered to Gaza in the next few days.
Professor of political science and head of the Cyprus Research Centre (KYKEM), Christos Iakovou, said on Cypriot television that the ship's repeatedly postponed departure is due to Israel wanting to ensure that the aid is not accepted and distributed by the Palestinian organizations.
According to the Cypriot government in Nicosia, the ship Open Arms,which is set to tow a cargo platform, has around 200 tons of drinking water, medicine and food on board.
The launch of the aid corridor by sea last weekend was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday.
Larnaca is around 400 kilometres from Gaza. Experts estimate that the journey there could take 48 to 60 hours.
The US military wants to set up a temporary port together with international partners, but according to the US, its construction will take two months.
he Open Arms will pull a platform behind it loaded with the bulk of the relief supplies, according to Cypriot media.
Cyprus will be responsible for the vessel until it leaves Cypriot territorial waters. "After that, the ship will be monitored by satellites and radars of other actors," a government spokesperson said.
It is unclear where and how the ship will unload its cargo once it arrives off the coast of Gaza. Only a small fishing harbour is available for unloading, but it is not deep enough for cargo ships.
The US military wants to set up a temporary harbour together with international partners, but says it will take two months to build.
The humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip has been worsening dramatically for weeks, with a critical shortage of basic necessities. — dpa
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