First Thing: Charity aid vessel sails from Cyprus as Gaza on brink of famine

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A charity ship that has been docked in Cyprus for close to a month finally set sail for Gaza, taking almost 200 tonnes of aid in a pilot project to open a new sea route for humanitarian assistance to a population on the brink of famine.

How long is the journey? The 210 nautical mile journey usually takes about 15 hours but officials said the heavy tow barge could make the trip in the region of 50 hours.

Why is a maritime corridor needed to relieve hunger? International frustration and pressure has built on Israel for blocking the arrival of aid by road from southern Gaza, leading President Joe Biden to announce US troops will build a makeshift port to deliver aid by sea as well as airdrops already under way. Air and sea aid are interpreted by some as a failure to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to fully facilitate land routes.

What is the humanitarian cost of the war so far? After Hamas attacked Israel and killed about 1,200 people and took a further 200 hostage, Israel’s invasion of Gaza has killed more than 31,100 Palestinians and injured in excess of 72,750, according to Gaza health officials.