Cyprus proposes a sea corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza

In a significant development aimed at providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides has proposed the creation of a maritime humanitarian corridor. This proposal was discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Christodoulides revealed upon his arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels.
As reported by the Cyprus News Agency, the Cyprus President’s initiative involves using the port of Limassol in Cyprus as a launching point for sea-based humanitarian aid to Gaza. Christodoulides emphasized Cyprus’s readiness to play a crucial role, especially in facilitating the evacuation of people from the region. He noted Cyprus has already received requests from several EU member states and the United States to support this initiative.
Responding to inquiries about the details of his discussions with Netanyahu and al-Sisi, Christodoulides highlighted the importance of unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza. This stance aligns with Cyprus’ foreign policy.
Addressing recent remarks by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who stated that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, Christodoulides expressed his hope that the European Council will critically assess these views, EU member states and the United States. He categorically stated that such statements by Erdogan effectively endorsed terrorism and noted that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and undermines the Palestinian Authority through its actions.
Christodoulides also called for a more prominent role for the European Union in addressing the Middle East crisis. As the EU member state closest to the region, Cyprus emphasizes the need for diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation and a political process to resolve the crisis.
This maritime corridor proposal underscores Cyprus’s active role in regional diplomacy and humanitarian efforts, reflecting its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.