First vessel carrying aid leaves Cyprus for Gaza

The first vessel carrying food to Gaza from Cyprus has departed, and aims to establish a new maritime aid corridor to the besieged enclave as the threat of starvation among Palestinians looms.

The delivery, organised by two Spanish NGOs, World Central Kitchen and Open Arms, includes nearly 200 tons of rice, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, and canned proteins. It is being pulled across the Mediterranean on a barge.

A second vessel is being prepared to make the same journey, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos told state radio. 

Open Arms and World Central Kitchen partnered with the United Arab Emirates to bring the first shipment into Gaza, according to the World Central Kitchen Founder, Jose Andres.

Read the full story by clicking here.