Netherlands to Send Humanitarian Aid to Gaza via Cyprus

The Netherlands has announced its intention to send a military ship to Cyprus to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

This decision coincides with the announcement by the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte of his intention to meet with his Israeli counterpart.

The military ship, named "HNLMS Holland," is set to depart in mid-November and is expected to reach the region by the end of the month, according to Alex Kranenburg, a Dutch Navy official.

Kranenburg explained that this move is related to "strategic positioning in case it becomes necessary to send humanitarian aid and evacuate individuals from Gaza."

However, he added, "No decision has been made yet," emphasizing that "certain prerequisites must be met first."

Cyprus, located in the eastern Mediterranean, is attempting to establish a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade and has experienced intense bombardment since an attack by Hamas militants inside Israel on October 7.

Ground clashes between the Israeli army and Hamas fighters are also ongoing.

In recent weeks, there have been increased calls for "humanitarian ceasefires" to facilitate the delivery of aid and the release of over 240 hostages held by Hamas.

However, Israel continues its campaign to "eliminate" the Hamas resistance movement in Gaza, rejecting these calls.

Meanwhile, the Dutch prime minister announced on the "X" platform that he "will travel to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

Rutte also held talks on Wednesday with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, addressing "a number of issues that are appropriate to discuss with Netanyahu," according to Dutch public television.