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Participants in the video conference on the progress of the humanitarian corridor from Cyprus towards Gaza are leaning towards creating a joint fund for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The conference was held tonight under the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Konstantinos Kompos, who announced that a second ship will depart from the port of Larnaca to Gaza within days. Qatar is now involved in the entire project, while the United States is expediting the construction of the floating port.
Mr. Kompos stated after the meeting that high-level counterparts from the US, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, the Qatari Deputy Foreign Minister, the Commissioner responsible for crisis management, and the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction in Gaza participated in the video conference.
According to the Cypriot Foreign Minister, a commitment to continue their countries’ involvement, as well as that of the European Commission, was reaffirmed by all participants, along with activating the role of the UN Coordinator in this significant effort. “We are at a stage of intensive processes aimed at systematizing the provision of humanitarian aid through the now activated Amalthea plan.”
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Repeatedly, he stated, it has been made perfectly clear that the Cypriot initiative constitutes an additional, complementary effort for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, complementing existing and future land crossings, as well as other routes. “It doesn’t operate competitively, but complementarily. The common goal is for humanitarian aid to reach those in need as soon as possible. And the joint effort will continue.”
Asked when the second ship would depart, the Cypriot Foreign Minister answered within the next few days, possibly within the current week. When asked if the ship’s departure would depend on how the project with the first ship unfolds or regardless, he said that the operational plan and scheduling would be adjusted depending on how the situation evolves and how the aid distribution network responds. However, he stated that simultaneous preparations are being made in Larnaca so that when everything is ready, it can start when conditions allow.
