From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
UK sends first maritime shipment of humanitarian supplies for Gaza
NICOSIA, Cyprus — The UK says its first maritime shipment of nearly 100 tons of thermal blankets, shelter packs and medical supplies for Gaza has reached Egypt’s Port Said, from where it will cross into the enclave.
The UK Foreign Office says that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Lyme Bay delivered the aid after departing from Cyprus. The aid will be distributed by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.
The aid delivery was made possible following visits by British Foreign Secretary James Cameron and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to Egypt and Cyprus last month. The aid includes 11 tons of medical supplies donated by Cyprus.
The British government says it would “explore other routes for aid deliveries,” including the Cypriot initiative to set up a maritime corridor to continuously ship large quantities of assistance to Gaza and the land corridor from Jordan.
