Israel is ready to allow ships to deliver aid to Gaza coast 31 December 2023

Israel is ready to to allow ships to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip "immediately" as part of the the proposed maritime corridor from Cyprus. This was stated by Israeli Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Sunday, Reuters reports UNN.

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It can start immediately

He said Britain, France, Greece and the Netherlands were among the countries that have ships that can dock directly off the coast of Gaza, which has no deepwater port.

They asked us to have the equipment arrive through (the Israeli port of) Ashdod. The answer is no. It will not come through Ashdod. It will not come through Israel. We want disengagement with security control. That is the goal of this process. 

The Dutch Ministry of Defense said it has not yet received any requests regarding this plan, but they are ready to start cooperation as soon as possible. The readiness to to support the Cyprus plan was also expressed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In particular, he supported the idea of inspections in Larnaca with the participation of Israeli security agents.

Now there is a naval blockade, and if such an aid ship comes from Larnaca, it will be with our consent... Of course, it will be a protected corridor because we have no intention of endangering a British or French ship, that will be traveling with us. 

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According to the agreement proposed by Cyprus back in November, the cargo must be checked security checks in the Cypriot port of Larnaca before being sent to Gaza, a port which is 370 kilometers (230 miles) away.

Cyprus offers to transport aid through their country, not through neighboring Egypt or Israel.

If this plan is implemented, it will be the first easing of the Israeli naval blockade imposed on Gaza in 2007. naval blockade imposed on Gaza in 2007," the the newspaper noted.

As hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are displaced and face acute shortages of with severe shortages of basic necessities, this idea could also contribute to the implementation of the the UN Security Council resolution of December 22 calling for the expansion of humanitarian assistance mechanisms. of humanitarian assistance.

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The Israeli government on Sunday approved the appointment of a new foreign minister to replace Eli Cohen, who will become Energy Minister as part of a previously agreed The new minister is Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. is Israel Katz.

It is noted that Cohen will continue to work in the security cabinet, and Israel Katz will continue to serve as foreign minister.

These appointments must still be approved by the Israeli Parliament.