Second Ship Loaded With Food Aid for Gaza Ready to Set Sail Amid Israeli Blockade
A second shipment of 300 tonnes of food aid from Cyprus is ready to depart for Gaza, where over two million people face starvation due to the Israeli blockade. The World Central Kitchen, in collaboration with Cyprus, the UAE, and Spanish NGO Open Arms, is leading the effort. The first shipment of 200 tonnes is expected to reach the Gaza coast soon. Security concerns have led to the withholding of the ships' whereabouts. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for aid trucks, killing at least six. EU aid chief urged Israel to open more routes. Since October 7, 31,341 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. Israeli authorities imposed new restrictions on entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque for Ramadan, including permits and magnetic cards. Police deployed 3,000 officers for security.