The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has noted in a statement that US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East is yet to yield “any tangible results” for Gaza.

The ministry said that Blinken always repeats his calls for an immediate cease-fire, an exchange of prisoners and hostages, protection of civilians and the entry of relief aid and warns against invading Rafah without protecting civilians.

“Unfortunately, we don’t see significant tangible results from these shuttle tours or successes regarding the implementation of the US positions and demands,” it added.

Instead, the ministry stated that Israel escalates its “aggression” against the Palestinians with each regional tour launched by the top US diplomat.

“Israel continues its massacres by brutally bombing homes and facilities and maintaining its policy of starvation and thirst, deprivation of medicines, and preventing the entry of humanitarian aid.

“The Israeli government is taking advantage of the failure, the ability to speak and make statements to gain more time to complete the achievement of its basic objectives of its aggression against the Palestinian people,” it added.
Palestinian Foreign Ministry

Blinken, who is currently on his sixth Middle East trip since the Gaza war broke out, mentioned that Israel and Hamas were making progress towards a ceasefire agreement.

Ceasefire talks resumed this week in Qatar after Israel rejected a Hamas proposal last week.

Blinken and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed ceasefire negotiations in a meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken also discussed the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.

UN Agencies, 36 Countries Discuss Aid To Gaza Through Cyprus

Officials from 36 countries and UN agencies gathered in Cyprus to discuss how to expedite aid to Gaza via a sea route launched last week.

“We are discussing how we can max up operational capacity both in terms of departure and means of transport and also in relation to the reception and distribution methodology,” said Constantinos Kombos, Cyprus’s foreign minister.

Delegates would also discuss the creation of a fund to coordinate operational activities of the initiative, Kombos said, although he clarified it was not a donor’s conference.

Asked how many vessels could be departing Cyprus with aid once the initiative is at full operational capacity, Kombos said “as many as possible”.

A vessel left Cyprus last week and distributed aid in Gaza as part of a mission operated by Open Arms, World Central Kitchen and the UAE, with the support of the government of Cyprus.

A second aid mission expected to take place along the newly inaugurated sea corridor connecting Cyprus with Gaza.

A second ship, The Jennifer, capable of transporting up to 600 tons, will ply the route as soon as weather conditions allow.

“It will go either at the end of this week or the beginning of next due to weather conditions,” Cyprus’s foreign ministry spokesperson Theodoros Gotsis disclosed. “Currently there are about 240 tons [of aid] on board but loading will continue,” he said.

It is expected that about 300 tons of food, fresh water and medicines will ultimately be loaded on to The Jennifer because the vessel will once again tow the barge that made the maiden voyage to Gaza last week.

The barge, which will also be carrying aid, is moored in the port of Larnaca, the distribution point for the aid initiative.

“They had to bring the barge back [to Larnaca] for repairs,” Gotsis explained. “It can only sail in winds of up to five Beaufort and when waters are calm. When it returns [to Gaza] it will act as an intermediate platform before a [permanent] pier is constructed. Pallets will be unloaded on to the barge before they are transferred to the shore on smaller boats.”