The last user message does not inquire about the designation of a terrorist organization. Therefore, I will proceed with rewriting the provided article.
The World Central Kitchen has dispatched a significant aid effort to support civilians in Gaza, loading four vessels departing from Cyprus with essential food supplies.
Announcing the initiative on Friday, the WCK detailed the provisions being transported, including shelf-stable and ready-to-eat items such as rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, and proteins. Additionally, a special shipment of dates, provided by the United Arab Emirates, is being delivered to offer comfort to Palestinians observing Ramadan amidst challenging circumstances. Dates hold cultural significance as they are traditionally consumed to break the daily fast during Ramadan.
World Central Kitchen Dispatches Another Aid Fleet to Gaza (Credits: Yahoo News Canada)
This humanitarian effort aims to address the urgent need for sustenance among the population in Gaza, supplementing the more than 43 million meals previously delivered by boat, plane, and truck. The current cargo, totaling 400 tons spread across three ships and a barge, is specifically designated to reach those in northern Gaza, where access to aid has been severely impacted by the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
With the Port of Gaza severely damaged by the ongoing hostilities, a makeshift jetty has been established to facilitate the arrival of goods by sea. Efforts to enhance humanitarian access via sea routes are also underway, with the United States initiating the construction of a floating pier. However, completion of this infrastructure is expected to take several weeks.
The WCK’s commitment to aiding Gaza is evident from its earlier shipment of 200 tons of food, which arrived on March 15. Amid conflicting reports on casualties and the toll of the conflict, Palestinian authorities have cited a figure of over 32,700 Gazans deceased.
However, these numbers are disputed by organizations like the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy and questioned by President Joe Biden, who expressed skepticism regarding Palestinian estimates.
The conflict escalated following militant attacks by Hamas on October 7, prompting Israel’s declaration of war and resulting in significant casualties and kidnappings. Despite these challenges, the International Court of Justice issued a directive in January for Israel to halt any potentially genocidal actions and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
