On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, a Panamanian-flagged ship named HENKE, loaded with 1,200 tons of food aid destined for the Gaza Strip, approached the Israeli port of Ashdod in a renewed international effort to address the deepening humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Palestinian territory. The mission, coordinated by the United Nations, comes at a time when food security experts warn that Gaza is teetering on the brink of famine, with conditions described as the "worst-case scenario."
The vessel, which departed from the Cypriot port of Limassol on Monday, carried 52 containers packed with essential foodstuffs—pasta, rice, baby food, and canned goods. According to the Associated Press, Israeli customs officials conducted a thorough screening of the cargo before the ship set sail, ensuring all aid met the required standards for entry into Israel and, subsequently, Gaza.
Of the 1,200 tons of supplies, 700 tons were provided by Cyprus, funded through donations from the United Arab Emirates to the Amalthea Fund. This fund, established last year, was specifically designed to facilitate seaborne humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. The remaining 500 tons originated from a broad coalition: Italy, the Maltese government, a Catholic religious order in Malta, and the Kuwaiti non-governmental organization Al Salam Association. The diversity of contributors reflects a growing international consensus on the urgency of Gaza’s plight.
Cyprus, which played a pivotal role as a staging area for maritime aid to Gaza in 2024, has seen its humanitarian efforts hampered by challenging weather and persistent security threats. Last year, 22,000 tons of aid were shipped from Cyprus to Gaza, with deliveries managed through a pier operated by the international charity World Central Kitchen and a U.S. military-run docking facility known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system. However, by late July 2024, these operations were halted as aid groups withdrew, citing insurmountable logistical and safety concerns.
Despite these setbacks, the current mission marks a significant renewal of hope. The Cypriot Foreign Ministry emphasized that the aid shipment is a "coordinated effort" led by the United Nations. Once the ship docks at Ashdod, U.N. employees will oversee the offloading and subsequent transportation of the supplies to storage areas and food stations managed by World Central Kitchen. This charity, which orchestrated the first aid shipment from Cyprus to Gaza last year, is widely trusted within the territory and has become a lifeline for many Gazans.
Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos did not mince words when describing the situation on the ground. "The situation is beyond dire," Kombos told the Associated Press. He further praised the collective resolve of all parties involved, stating, "The contribution of everyone involved is crucial and their commitment incredible."
United Nations Office for Operations Chief Jorge Moreira da Silva echoed these sentiments, hailing Tuesday's shipment as a "crucial step in alleviating suffering in Gaza." In a post on X, da Silva stressed the need for "rapid, unhindered and safe flow of humanitarian aid for all civilians in need." The scale of the maritime delivery far surpasses recent air drops, which, while dramatic, have been unable to meet the overwhelming needs of the population.
The timing of the shipment is significant, coming just one day after Hamas announced its acceptance of a new ceasefire proposal brokered by Arab mediators. However, Israel has yet to approve the latest proposal, leaving the prospects for peace uncertain. The deadlock follows a collapse in ceasefire talks last month, after which Israel declared its intention to reoccupy Gaza City and other heavily populated areas. Aid organizations and independent experts have warned that such military actions could further exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, has dismissed reports of starvation in Gaza as "lies" propagated by Hamas. Nevertheless, the United Nations issued a stark warning last week: starvation and malnutrition in the Palestinian territory have reached their highest levels since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. That conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, resulting in the abduction of 251 people and the deaths of around 1,200, mostly civilians.
Since then, the violence has been relentless. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry—which operates under the Hamas-run government but is staffed by medical professionals—the death toll in Gaza from 22 months of war has surpassed 62,000. Although the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths, it reports that women and children constitute about half of the deceased. The United Nations and other independent experts regard these figures as the most reliable currently available, given the difficulties of independent verification in an active conflict zone.
The context for this latest aid shipment is sobering. Humanitarian corridors into Gaza have been sporadic and frequently disrupted, with land crossings tightly controlled and subject to closure amid ongoing hostilities. While air drops have provided some relief, the volume of supplies they can deliver is dwarfed by what a single ship can carry. As a result, maritime deliveries like the one currently underway are seen as critical to staving off widespread famine.
The World Central Kitchen, which is set to manage the distribution of the latest shipment, has become a symbol of international solidarity with Gaza. Its operations, however, have not been without risk. The charity’s previous missions were often complicated by security threats and the unpredictable nature of the conflict. Yet, the organization’s persistence has earned it the trust of local communities and international donors alike.
The situation remains volatile, with the fate of future aid efforts closely tied to the progress of ceasefire negotiations and the broader political landscape. For now, the arrival of the HENKE at Ashdod offers a glimmer of hope to a population in desperate need. As Jorge Moreira da Silva of the United Nations put it, the success of this mission is a "crucial step"—but it is only one part of a much larger, ongoing struggle to bring relief to Gaza’s civilians.
With diplomatic efforts hanging in the balance and humanitarian needs escalating daily, the world’s attention remains fixed on Gaza and the fragile lifelines that connect it to the outside world. Every shipment, every corridor, every act of cooperation is a reminder of both the immense challenges and the enduring possibilities for compassion in the face of crisis.
