The British Royal Navy is set to dispatch aid to Gaza as part of a collaborative international endeavor aimed at establishing a new humanitarian maritime corridor in early May, announced jointly by the foreign office and Ministry of Defence. This multinational effort, supported by the United States, Cyprus, and other partners, seeks to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza by facilitating the delivery of much-needed aid.
British Foreign Minister David Cameron underscored the urgency of the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the real threat of famine and the imperative to provide assistance to those in desperate need. The initiative, he stated, aims to ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients efficiently and expeditiously.
In support of this initiative, Cameron pledged £9.7 million ($12.26 million) for aid equipment and logistical expertise to facilitate the establishment of the maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza. The aid will be pre-screened in Cyprus and transported directly to Gaza via a new temporary pier being constructed off the coast, or through Ashdod Port following Israel’s agreement to open it.
British Defence Minister Grant Shapps highlighted the role of the new temporary pier in Gaza, which will serve as a crucial point for cargo ships to deliver aid by sea, further facilitating the humanitarian mission.
The British government disclosed that military teams from the UK have been collaborating with planning teams in the United States, stationed at operational headquarters in Tampa, Florida, as well as in Cyprus, to develop the safest and most efficient maritime route for aid delivery.
The announcement comes in the wake of global outrage sparked by the killing of seven aid workers, including three British nationals, in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Britain reiterated its commitment to advocating for reforms in deconfliction mechanisms, alongside measures to ensure the safety and security of aid workers operating in the region.
The British Royal Navy’s involvement in this humanitarian mission underscores the nation’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza and promoting peace and stability in the region through concerted international efforts.