The UK is set to send a Royal Navy ship to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza via a humanitarian corridor from Cyprus, the British Government announced on Sunday.
The vessel is “on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean to support international efforts to deliver critical aid to Gaza,” said Defence Minister Grant Shapps in a statement.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron added that the ship will “facilitate the operation of the international maritime humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, supported by several of our partners and the United Nations.”
To ensure rapid and safe aid delivery, a temporary new dock is being established on the Gaza coast, in partnership with the United States, Cyprus and other allies.
Our Armed Forces are doing everything they can to ramp up aid supplies to the people of Gaza - by land, air and sea.
That’s why today I can announce a @RoyalNavy ship is en-route to deliver more life saving aid. pic.twitter.com/HKCahH8hE1 — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) April 7, 2024
The foreign office “commits to providing up to £9.7 million (€11.3million) for aid delivery, logistical expertise and to equip the humanitarian corridor with forklifts and storage units.” The aim is “to maximise the amount of aid reaching those who desperately need it.”
Cyprus, the EU Member State closest to the Gaza strip (about 360 kilometres away) has been pushing for this maritime aid corridor for several months.
The situation in Gaza is “dire and the prospect of famine is real,” warned David Cameron, six months following the outbreak of war provoked by a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7.
