Ashdod: A new shipment of humanitarian aid for Gaza, via the maritime corridor 'Amalthea,' is expected to arrive today, Saturday, at the port of Ashdod, the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic, Victor Papadopoulos, told CNA. The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, announced the new humanitarian aid mission in the early hours of Friday from Brussels, stating that '950 tons of humanitarian aid, 44 containers from the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, France, Slovakia, and Kuwait' would be included in the shipment.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Papadopoulos stated that the humanitarian aid includes food and hygiene supplies. The mission is being executed in coordination with UN/UNOPS, the United Arab Emirates, and in partnership with other countries such as France and Kuwait, as well as international humanitarian organizations, including World Central Kitchen.
This marks the fifth shipment since August, Papadopoulos noted, adding that this aid is in addition to the 4,000 tons that have been dispatched in recent months. 'In total, the volume of aid that has been transferred to Gaza since the activation of the plan in March 2024 amounts to 30,000 tons,' he said.
He further mentioned that more shipments are anticipated in January, as there is growing interest in utilizing the Amalthea corridor, strengthening the flow of aid.
'There is coordination with the Israeli government so that the shipment can enter directly the port of Ashdod,' he noted, adding that the aid is expected to arrive and be unloaded today.
In a post on X by the organization World Central Kitchen, which operates in Gaza, it is stated that they are collaborating with the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, and UNOPS.
The organization expressed its gratitude for the humanitarian aid arriving in Gaza through the 'Amalthea' maritime corridor. As noted, this route from Cyprus enables the delivery of tons of essential food staples, such as flour, pasta, rice, and more, supporting the organization's network of kitchens across Gaza and ensuring that its teams can serve millions more meals to families in need.