This is a maiden voyage like no other. On Tuesday, the first ship carrying much-needed food for Gaza departed Cyprus to navigate a new maritime aid corridor.

The charity workers operating the vessel, Open Arms, cheered and clapped as it slowly set off through the blue Cypriot waters. The ship departed Larnaca, a port city on the island nation's southern coast, with 200 tons of rice, flour, canned vegetables, and fish onboard. The idea is to get food directly to the Gaza Strip, as the United Nations (UN) warns the besieged territory is on the brink of famine.

Tuesday's departure was the culmination of months of political talks and weeks of practical planning. Under the plan, which Cyprus initiated and announced in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom last week, Cypriot officials would check the goods with Israeli oversight so the precious cargo can head straight to Gaza.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it "a sign of hope." Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said a "journey of hope and humanity" had begun. In a hastily filmed video with the departing Open Arms ship behind him, aid worker Juan Camilo described it as a........

© Deutsche Welle