THE Royal Navy is to be drafted in to transport aid to the near-starving thousands in Gaza — as David Cameron today warns of famine in the war-torn region.
The Foreign Secretary announced a £9.7million package of military and civilian support to set up a maritime corridor to the Strip from Cyprus, beginning early next month.
APPalestinians wait for food supplies at Rafah in Gaza[/caption]
AlamyDavid Cameron has warned of famine in the war-torn region[/caption]
SWNSThe Royal Navy are already en route to the Eastern Mediterranean[/caption]
The plans, revealed for the first time today — six months since the October 7 carnage — include a Royal Navy ship to help deliver aid as well as equipment such as fork-lift trucks and storage units to boost support.
The vessel is already on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Lord Cameron said: “The situation in Gaza is dire and the prospect of famine is real. We remain committed to getting aid to those who so desperately need it.
“Along with the US, Cyprus and other partners, we are setting up a new temporary pier off the coast of Gaza to get aid in as quickly and securely as possible.
“Land access remains crucial to deliver it at the scale required.”
The announcement came as the Government repeated its call for the “urgent reform of deconfliction mechanisms” and the safety of humanitarian aid workers.
It has been six days since three Brits were among seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Israel Defence Forces drone strikes.
The charity had just off-loaded 100 tons of food aid from a barge, which sailed from Cyprus, when their convoy was attacked at night.
The US, UK and other allies have since rallied to create the maritime corridor amid mounting concerns about the level of aid getting into besieged Gaza.
Lord Cameron said Israel had agreed to increase the number of aid trucks entering to at least 500 a day.
The Erez Crossing between the Strip and Israel is also to be reopened.
Maritime aid will be pre-screened in Cyprus and delivered directly to Gaza, via Ashdod Port, which Israel has also agreed to open, or by way of the US floating pier.
Lord Cameron said: “We need to continue to explore all options, including by sea and air, to ease the desperate plight of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“The opening of Erez and the Port of Ashdod is hugely welcome and something the UK has long been calling for.”
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed a Royal Navy ship is now en route to the Eastern Mediterranean to “support international efforts to get life-saving aid to Gaza”.
He added: “The Armed Forces are playing a central role in delivering aid, with the Royal Air Force recently completing five air-drops.
“We are now going further, working with international partners to set up a humanitarian maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza.
“A new temporary pier on the coast of Gaza will be critical to supporting these efforts, by hosting cargo ships to deliver aid by sea.
“I’d like to thank all the personnel involved in this effort, working around the clock to help provide critical aid under immensely challenging circumstances.”
British military teams have been working with planning units in the US operational HQ in Tampa, Florida, as well as in Cyprus for several weeks to jointly develop the safest and most effective maritime route.
Cyprus lies about 210 miles north-west of Gaza, or about 15 hours’ sailing time.
The United Nations warned in February that at least a quarter of Gaza’s 576,000 inhabitants are one step away from famine — and that virtually the entire population desperately needs food.
Hostage body
ISRAEL’S military said yesterday it had recovered the body of a 47-year-old farmer held hostage in Gaza.
Elad Katzir was believed to have been killed in January by Islamic Jihad, one of the groups that raided southern Israel on October 7.
The discovery renewed pressure on Israel’s government as talks were due to begin today over a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages.
Of about 250 snatched, half have been freed and 36 are dead.
Hamas said it will free 40 more in a deal including a ceasefire, aid, prisoner release and return of displaced people.
