UAE minister, Cypriot officials discuss Gaza relief efforts

DUBAI: The UAE’s minister of state for international cooperation met on Tuesday with Cypriot officials to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza and ensure the delivery of relief aid following the suspension of the maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza due to Israeli violations.

Reem Al-Hashimy reviewed ways to strengthen existing channels for humanitarian efforts during discussions with Marilena Raouna, Cypriot minister of state for European affairs, and Andreas Antoniades, accountant general at the Treasury Ministry.

Their discussions follow Israel’s targeting of a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza on April 2, which halted relief efforts within the Maritime Corridor Initiative.

The initiative, launched on March 8 with broad international support, aimed to provide aid by sea and collaborate with Sigrid Kaag, UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza.

Al-Hashimy stressed the importance of a continued multilateral approach to address Gaza’s worsening humanitarian situation and ensure the immediate and widespread flow of aid through all available channels by land, air and sea.

She also emphasized the need to open additional routes and crossings to transport more aid and intensify efforts to alleviate human suffering in Gaza and prevent famine. Both the Emirati and Cypriot sides condemned violence against humanitarian workers, urging Israeli authorities to commit to preventing similar incidents in the future. They emphasized Israel’s responsibility under international humanitarian law to secure humanitarian efforts and protect relief workers.