Israel to ease maritime blockade of Gaza ‘immediately’ for first time since 2007 to let relief ships in
Israel will ease its maritime blockade of Gaza for the first time since 2007 by allowing relief ships to get to the war-torn Palestinian region through a third country, Cyprus, Israeli officials said Sunday.
The Jewish state, bowing to mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues its war against Hamas terrorists, said the move could occur instantaneously.
“It can start immediately,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told 103 FM radio in Tel Aviv, adding that Israel won’t allow the aid to go directly through its ports but will retain control over what is shipped to Gaza.
“That’s the goal of the process,” he said.
Israel’s naval blockade was put in place 16 years ago when Hamas took control of the Palestinian enclave in the Gaza Strip.
Supplies have trickled into Gaza during the current conflict, largely from Egypt.
The new maritime supplies would be received in the port of Larnaca in Cyprus, where Israeli agents would inspect the goods, which would then be shipped to the Gaza coast.
England, France, Greece and the Netherlands have been among the countries pushing the Jewish state to allow supplies to reach Palestinians in crisis during Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip, with the United Nations also demanding aid to the region.
Israeli troops moved into Gaza in retaliation for the Oct. 7 sneak attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, who left about 1,200 dead, most of them civilians.
The ensuing Israeli offensive has left thousands of Palestinians dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
Greece and the UK have been among the nations backing a relief pipeline through the Cypriot port and said supply ships are ready to transport supplies to the region.
Cohen said the plan now has Israel’s approval.
“As of now there is a maritime blockade, and if such a ship comes from Larnaca, it will be with our approval,” the minister said. “It will, of course, be a secured corridor, as we have no intention of endangering a British or French ship coming in coordination with us.”
With Post wires
