UAE backs key Cyprus Maritime Corridor to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. Tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian families and children are desperate for basic necessities. Israeli attacks in response to Hamas’s October 7 surprise assault have claimed more than 30,700 lives and injured many others.

On March 8, the EU, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the UAE, UK and the US announced their intent to open a maritime corridor to deliver much-needed additional amounts of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea.

The EU is backing the long-awaited corridor allowing aid to be shipped from Cyprus to the besieged Palestinian enclave, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed during a visit to the port of Larnaca on Friday.

Israel needs to expand aid deliveries by land routes

Named ‘Amalthea’, the Cyprus-led initiative is set to boost humanitarian aid deliveries, which have been severely constricted by the land routes controlled by Israel since the outbreak of the fighting. It comes as leaders raise concerns over a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.t

The maritime corridor can make a real difference to the plight of Palestinians. It is due to formally open soon. The first pilot operation is expected to leave either on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the availability of appropriate conditions.

But deliveries by sea are likely to be complex. The involved countries are prepared to assess and adjust their efforts. The corridor should be part of a sustained effort to increase the movement of aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes.

Friday’s joint statement from the EU, Cyprus, UAE, US and the UK also highlighted the countries’ intent to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open additional crossings to get more aid to more people.

Operation “Birds of Goodness” airdrops fifth batch of aid

On March 8, the Joint Operations Command of the UAE Ministry of Defence announced the completion of the fifth airdrop of supplies by the UAE Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force in Gaza, as part of the “Birds of Goodness” operation.

Joint teams from both countries delivered about 62 tonnes of food and medical aid, bringing the total to 231 tonnes. It is part of the “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation, launched on November 5 under the directives of Emirati leader HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Operation “Birds of Goodness” represents the level of UAE-Egypt coordination to support the people of Gaza. It also comes within the framework of Arab solidarity to help Palestinians in light of the dire circumstances in the territory.