Aid ship arrives off the coast of Gaza, organizers say
JERUSALEM — The Open Arms, a private aid ship, arrived off the coast of Gaza today carrying the first nautical aid delivery for starving Palestinians.
World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, that played a central role in organizing the delivery, said efforts were underway to move toward a jetty that has been specially constructed to bring the food to land.
The Open Arms, named after the Spanish charity transporting the supplies, departed the Larnaca port in Cyprus on Tuesday, towing a barge containing flour, rice and protein.
The United Nations has warned that at least a quarter of Gaza’s population is “one step away” from famine and the enclave’s health ministry has reported more than two dozen deaths caused by malnutrition and dehydration.