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Children distributing food in Gaza
Photo: Mohammed Salem / REUTERS
Germany will participate in the planned maritime corridor for aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.
According to SPIEGEL information, coordination with international partners is currently in full swing.
The Foreign Office says that diplomat Deike Potzel, special envoy for humanitarian issues in the Middle East, is currently in Cyprus.
According to reports, discussions about expanding aid deliveries by sea have been taking place for weeks between the federal government, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
The project now began to move after US President Joe Biden announced in his State of the Union address that the US military wanted to build a temporary port on the coast of the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, British Foreign Minister David Cameron announced that his country also wanted to take part in the opening of the maritime corridor.
Reservations from international aid organizations
According to SPIEGEL information, discussions about aid deliveries by water were also dragging on because international aid organizations have major reservations.
Their concern is that deliveries by water and air could take pressure off the Israeli government to allow more trucks carrying aid supplies into the Gaza Strip.
According to SPIEGEL information, the Bundeswehr is already examining whether the sea bridge for Gaza could also be supported by the navy.
So far, however, it has only been a matter of “prudent planning” by the military in the event that there is a corresponding order, it was said.
It remains to be seen whether the Navy will actually be deployed.
The military is currently assuming that the construction of a provisional port will involve pioneers and not the navy.
After completion, the aid supplies could probably also be transported on civilian ships.
According to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the maritime corridor is due to start shortly.
“We are now close to opening the corridor – hopefully this Saturday, this Sunday,” said von der Leyen on Friday at a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) recently pointed out the catastrophic situation in Gaza on Thursday.
"The suffering in Gaza is becoming more terrible every day and, to be honest, can hardly be put into words," she said at a joint press appearance with her British counterpart Cameron in Berlin.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is indeed catastrophic.
According to the UN World Food Program, all 2.2 million people living there are on the brink of famine.
The Israeli army is using massive military force in the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants carried out a brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, leaving many dead and injured.
Hamas still holds hostages.