London, January 2 (EFE). – The British Foreign Office said on Tuesday that the first sea shipment from the United Kingdom, including about 90 tons of humanitarian aid for Gaza, arrived in Egypt on Monday.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Lyme Bay transported a cargo from Cyprus that included 10,000 thermal blankets, 5,000 shelter kits and medical supplies, provided jointly with that country.
After arriving at the Egyptian port of Port Said, the aid will be transported by the Egyptian Red Crescent Humanitarian Organization to the Rafah crossing into Gaza, where it will be distributed by the United Nations, according to the memorandum.
The British government confirms that this shipment puts into effect the Cyprus initiative to enable the passage of maritime aid to the Strip, despite the continuation of talks with Israel to allow direct access to its territory or to the Palestinians.
On December 21, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron visited the Egyptian city of Al-Arish to coordinate the handover with the Egyptian Red Crescent, after his colleague at the Ministry of Defense, Grant Shapps, traveled to Cyprus and Israel.
Cameron announced in the statement issued today that the Conservative government is “committed to supporting the people of Gaza.”
He added: “The UK will continue to work with our partners in the region to open more aid routes to Gaza, including the proposed sea corridor between Cyprus, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.” Evie
gm/er/cg
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”