The Open Arms aid ship was on Friday morning waiting off the coast of Gaza for further instruction before being able to unload.
The ship, which left Larnaca on Tuesday with 120 tonnes of humanitarian aid on board as part of Cyprus’ Amalthea project to send humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, is expected to later undergo further inspections on the part of the Israeli government.
The Israeli defence ministry said on Thursday evening it was making preparations for the ship to arrive, and that the receipt of aid would be coordinated with the country’s authorities “based on the instructions of the Israeli government and requests made by the United States government.”
According to Israeli media, the ship will be inspected again once it is within 20 nautical miles of Gaza’s coast, before heading for the shore, escorted by the Israeli Navy and Air Force.
It will then be moored at a temporary jetty built by US-based charity World Central Kitchen, in coordination with Israel’s defence ministry.
Once moored, aid will be distributed by World Central Kitchen under the supervision of the Israeli Navy and Air Force.
Meanwhile, in Larnaca, a second ship, the Jennifer is expected to set sail for Gaza on Friday, with “at least 500 tons” of aid on board.
Most of that aid will consist of sugar, flour, pasta, and milk.
World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres said on Friday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the forthcoming arrival of the ship is evidence of “the power of heart, humanitarianism, and action.”
He said there will be “millions of meals for Gaza” delivered via the corridor.