EU Announces Humanitarian Aid Corridor to Gaza via Southern Cyprus

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, declared the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor by sea to Gaza, addressing the challenges faced by Palestinians due to Israel’s restrictions on aid entering the Gaza Strip through land borders. During her visit to the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Von der Leyen stated at a press conference alongside Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides that the European Union is committing substantial financial support for Palestinian humanitarian aid, totaling 250 million euros this year. Emphasizing the logistical hurdles in delivering aid to Gaza, she announced the initiation of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, in collaboration with the USA and the United Arab Emirates. Von der Leyen expressed optimism about the corridor’s opening, targeting this Sunday for its commencement. Additionally, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron affirmed the UK’s collaboration with the USA on providing humanitarian aid to Gaza through the newly established sea corridor. Cameron underscored the urgency of delivering aid to Gaza, citing the sea corridor as a viable alternative given the challenges in truck access through Israel.