Israel-Hamas war: first Gaza aid ship leaves Cyprus port

LARNACA: An aid ship carrying 200 tons of food for Gaza left the Larnaca port in Cyprus early Tuesday after being held up for days.

It is the first such shipment along a new maritime corridor from Cyprus, which aims to deliver much-needed aid to Gazans.

The charity ship Open Arms is towing a barge laden with flour, rice, canned tuna, beans, chicken and other things.

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The Gaza aid ship’s journey is expected to take up to two days.

Israel has welcomed the new sea route, but some aid groups have criticized the mission, saying it is too little and ineffective.

The operation is part of an effort by the US, European Union, and United Arab Emirates to distribute aid in Gaza as food shortages across the territory steadily worsen.

The enclave has been effectively sealed off since Israel began its offensive in response to the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas militants. The United Nations has said food delivered by airdrops cannot replace open land borders.