British Foreign Secretary David Cameron issued a stark warning on Sunday, highlighting the imminent threat of famine in Gaza.
The UK dispatched a Royal Navy ship to the Mediterranean to help establish a maritime aid corridor in response to the crisis.
Cameron emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that coordinated efforts with the US, Cyprus, and other partners were underway to create a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza for expedited and secure aid delivery.
Despite the recent tragedy involving the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza during an Israeli strike, Cyprus reaffirmed its commitment to the humanitarian corridor.
Three of the deceased workers were British nationals affiliated with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity.
The UK pledged £9.7 million towards aid, equipment, and expertise to support the establishment of the maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza. Recent successful deliveries by charitable organizations like Open Arms and WCK have demonstrated the necessity of such humanitarian initiatives.
Cyprus, in collaboration with the United States, is preparing for further aid shipments through the corridor, with plans to enhance aid delivery capabilities in Gaza by constructing a new port.
The deteriorating situation in Gaza has prompted innovative aid approaches such as airdrops and maritime deliveries. However, humanitarian organizations caution that these methods cannot substitute for land-based aid delivery, which remains severely limited compared to pre-war levels, as reported by the UN.
The Gaza war, which commenced on October 7, has exacted a heavy toll on civilians, with over a thousand deaths on both sides according to Israeli figures. The conflict has resulted in mass casualties and significant disruptions to aid distribution, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
