First Gaza aid ship sets sail from Cyprus

An aid ship has set off from a port in Cyprus taking much-needed food to Gaza. The aid ship is carrying almost 200 tonnes of food, travelling via a new sea route, to deliver aid to a population on the brink of famine.

The ship Open Arms belongs to a Spanish charity of the same name.

It’s not clear where in Gaza the ship will dock.

The mission, mostly funded by the UAE, is being organised by the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), while the Spanish charity supplies the ship.

“Our goal is to establish a maritime highway of boats and barges stocked with millions of meals continuously headed towards Gaza,” said WCK founder Jose Andres and chief executive officer Erin Gore in a statement.

The initiative is separate from a US plan to construct a floating pier close to the Gaza coast, which will allow quick delivery of aid.

The charities intend to take aid directly to Gaza, which has been sealed off from the outside world since Israel began its offensive in response to an 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas.

WCK said it had another 500 tonnes of aid amassed in Cypus will also be sent.