Israel will ease its maritime blockade of Gaza for the first time since 2007 by allowing aid ships to reach the war-torn Palestinian territory via a third country, Cyprus, Israeli officials said Sunday.
The Jewish state, which is bowing to growing international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues its war against Hamas terrorists, said the move could be immediate.
“It can start immediately,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told 103 FM radio in Tel Aviv, adding that Israel would not allow the aid to go directly through its ports but would maintain control over what was sent to Gaza.
“That’s the goal of the process,” he said.
The Israeli naval blockade was implemented 16 years ago when Hamas controlled the Palestinian territories in the Gaza Strip.
Supplies have flowed into Gaza during the current conflict, largely from Egypt.
The new maritime supplies will be received at the port of Larnaca in Cyprus, where Israeli agents will inspect the goods, which will then be delivered to the Gaza coast.
England, France, Greece and the Netherlands are among countries urging the Jewish state to allow supplies to reach Palestine in the crisis during Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip, with the United Nations also demanding aid to the region.
People prepare food at a camp for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip near the Egyptian border. AFP via Getty Images Israeli troops walk during their ground operation against Palestinian Hamas terrorists in Khan Younis in Gaza. via REUTERS This aerial view shows the tents of displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the Gaza Strip near the Egyptian border. AFP via Getty Images
Israeli forces moved into Gaza in retaliation for an October 7 sneak attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which left about 1,200 dead, mostly civilians.
The subsequent Israeli attacks have left thousands of Palestinians dead and hundreds of thousands more homeless.
Greece and the UK are among countries backing an aid pipeline through Cyprus ports and have said supply ships are ready to transport supplies to the region.
Cohen said the plan now has Israeli approval.
“So far there is a maritime blockade, and if such a ship comes from Larnaca, it will have our approval,” the minister said. “It will, of course, be a safe corridor, as we have no intention of endangering any British or French ships coming in coordination with us.”
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
