A ship carrying 1,200 tons of food aid for Gaza is nearing the port of Ashdod in southern Israel, marking a renewed attempt to address the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. The vessel, which departed from Cyprus, is loaded with 52 containers of essential supplies including pasta, rice, baby food, and canned goods. The aid was screened by Israeli customs officials before departure and comprises contributions from Cyprus, Italy, Malta, and Kuwait, with significant funding from the United Arab Emirates through the Amalthea Fund.

Unlike recent air drops, shipborne deliveries can transport much larger quantities of aid, which is critical given the dire situation described by Cyprus's foreign minister. The mission is coordinated by the United Nations, and once the supplies are offloaded at Ashdod, they will be distributed in Gaza by World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization trusted in the territory. This effort follows previous maritime aid missions from Cyprus, though past projects faced challenges due to weather and security concerns.