US, Qatar Open Ashdod Port for Aid Delivery to Gaza
- Al Jazeera
Gaza – The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Constantinos Kombos on Wednesday, hosted a virtual meeting with representative from some countries, such as United States, United Kingdom, Qatar, and many more.
In the online meeting, they discussed a plan to open maritime corridors to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
"The ministers agreed that there is no substitute for land routes through Egypt and Jordan, as well as entry points from Israel to Gaza for the delivery of large-scale aid," according to the US government.
Suasana Mencekam Warga Palestina Sholat Tarawih di Reruntuhan Masjid Gaza
- TRT World
"The ministers also agreed that opening the Ashdod port for humanitarian aid would be a welcome and significant complement to the corridor," it added.
The ministers committed to continuing their engagement and sending senior officials to the Republic of Cyprus on March 18 for further discussions on activating the corridor.
It includes United States military planning efforts to establish a temporary dock capable of receiving large-scale humanitarian aid.
Senior officials will also consult on the possibility of forming a joint fund to support the maritime corridor and coordinate sustainable contributions in the form of goods and finances.
The ministers reiterated that this maritime corridor can and should be part of sustained efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial commodities to Gaza through all possible routes.
Also, expanding land routes and ongoing air deliveries, working closely with Coordinator Sigrid Kaag, tasked with facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying the flow of aid to Gaza based on UN Security Council Resolution 2720.
"The ministers emphasized the need for Israel to open additional routes so that more aid can reach Gaza, including in the Northern areas, and to overall ease customs restrictions to facilitate increased flow of life-saving humanitarian aid," they concluded.
As information, here's the name of representatives who joining the discussion; United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, the European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Cameron.
Then, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and the Senior UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag.
