UAE Minister in Cyprus for Gaza Humanitarian Discussions

Post by: Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

_{Photo: wikipedia}

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, engaged in discussions with Cypriot officials in Cyprus, focusing on addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The talks centered on strategies to ensure the prompt and adequate delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza. This discussion arose in response to the suspension of the maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza due to reported Israeli violations, which jeopardized ongoing relief efforts.

During the meetings, Minister Al Hashimy, alongside Marilena Raouna, Cyprus's Minister of State for European Affairs, and Andreas Antoniades, Accountant General of the Ministry of Treasury, assessed ways to reinforce existing channels and mechanisms concerning humanitarian endeavors. They specifically reviewed the recent incident involving the targeting of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy on April 2, 2024, which resulted in the halting of relief operations within the Maritime Corridor Initiative.

The Maritime Corridor Initiative, launched on March 8, garnered broad international support, including from the United States, the European Commission, and several other nations. Its primary aim was to augment existing aid efforts by sea and collaborate closely with Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.

Minister Al Hashimy stressed the imperative of sustaining a multilateral international cooperative approach to address the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. She emphasized the urgent need to ensure the unimpeded and expeditious flow of aid through all available channels, including land, air, and sea, to mitigate the suffering of innocent civilians.

Moreover, Minister Al Hashimy underscored the importance of facilitating the opening of additional roads and crossings to facilitate the transportation of aid. This would contribute to alleviating human suffering in Gaza and preventing the onset of famine.

Both the Emirati and Cypriot delegations reiterated their condemnation of acts of violence perpetrated against humanitarian workers, who dedicate themselves to serving vulnerable populations. They called upon Israeli authorities to conduct credible and transparent investigations into such incidents and commit to preventing their recurrence.

In line with international humanitarian law, Minister Al Hashimy emphasized Israel's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian efforts and to respect and protect relief workers.

Furthermore, Minister Al Hashimy reaffirmed the UAE's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people and its support for the Gaza Strip during these challenging times. She pledged that the UAE would continue to collaborate with international partners to deliver relief support to affected civilians in Gaza, adhering strictly to international law and humanitarian principles.

In light of the absence of safety and security guarantees for aid workers, Minister Al Hashimy indicated that the resumption of operations in the maritime corridor would require further review.

Overall, the discussions underscored the urgent need for concerted international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide essential assistance to those in need.

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