Works continue for the construction by the Americans of a temporary dock in Gaza, which is expected to be completed in 15 days, diplomatic sources told CNA on Friday, noting that the announcement by the White House about Israel’s intention to open the Ashdod port and the Erez crossing for the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, was important.
According to diplomatic sources, regarding the Amalthea Plan, the US crews were continuing to construct a temporary dock in Gaza. The work is expected to be completed in 15 days, the sources said.
Having such a structure will allow ships to travel faster to Gaza since they will not need to tow a platform loaded with equipment, as was the case so far, and will not be dependent on the weather. They will also be able to carry larger quantities of humanitarian aid and unload in a much shorter time.
Israel announced on Thursday after the US President’s telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister that it would allow the temporary delivery of hu
manitarian aid through the port of Ashdod located about 40 km north of the Gaza Strip, and the Erez crossing. Israeli authorities said they would also allow more aid delivered directly from Jordan through Kerem Shalom crossing, in southern Israel.
Spokesperson of the US National Security Council, Adrienne Watson, in a statement, said they welcomed the steps announced by the Israeli government ‘at the President’s request’ following his telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister. These steps must now be ‘fully and rapidly implemented’, the spokesperson said.
It is recalled that the Republic of Cyprus, through President Christodoulides and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, stated on several occasions that the maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through Cyprus was a complementary effort, and that other corridors should be opened, as well as the port of Ashdod.
Source: Cyprus News Agency