Brussels, 8 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) - A humanitarian corridor allowing aid to be delivered from Cyprus to Gaza by sea is expected to open this weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

"We are now very close to the opening of the corridor, hopefully this Saturday, this Sunday," said von der Leyen at a press conference in Cyprus, accompanied by Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides.

The joint operation of the United States and partners in Europe and the Middle East was announced by US President Joe Biden late on Thursday. It will see a temporary harbour built on the coast of the Gaza strip, allowing ships to dock.

According to a statement published on Friday, the aid mission is a joint effort between the commission, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States.

"Europe is financing a major humanitarian aid effort for Palestinians in Gaza and in the region - €250 million ($273 million) this year alone," von der Leyen said.

"But the key challenge is to get the aid to the people on the ground in Gaza. And we know the difficulties faced at the land borders in Gaza, be it through the Rafah border crossing or through the Jordan Road corridor." That's why a sea mission is necessary, she said.

Photo: MIA archive