The initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza has moved from the political to the technical level, an initiative accepted by states and international organisations because it brings together those features that can make it feasible and ensure the long-term provision of humanitarian aid, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday.

Responding to questions during a media briefing at the Presidential Palace, and in particular on the reasons why a team from Cyprus needs to go to Qatar regarding the Republic of Cyprus' proposal to establish a maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, he said that on Monday, during the meeting between the President of the Republic and the Emir of Qatar "there was great interest in the implementation of the initiative, the complexity of which requires the involvement of as many states and international organisations as possible”.

There are technical issues which are currently on the table, he said, adding that "we have moved from the political to the technical level and that is why, in order to be able to assist those states that wish to do so, our own experts will go to Qatar, in this case, which has expressed interest, to be able to develop some technical details".

He added that the team from Cyprus might also go to Qatar even tomorrow, Wednesday.

Answering to a reporter's remark that Cyprus is waiting for the green light from Israel on the maritime humanitarian corridor and to a question on how Israel has responded so far, Letymbiotis said that "we are in continuous consultations with Israel so that all the technical issues that need to be resolved for the implementation of the corridor can be put on the table."

He pointed out that Israel's initial position is known and that it is approaching the issue positively, adding that Israel has made comments on the matter.

"From our side, there was a very meticulous planning so that the proposal can be implemented when conditions allow," he noted.

"The reason why the initiative is being accepted by states and international organizations is because it brings together those features that can make it feasible and also ensure the long-term provision of humanitarian assistance," he added.

Asked when humanitarian aid would be sent to Gaza, the Spokesperson said that the Republic of Cyprus is in contact with both states and international organisations that have expressed readiness to send humanitarian aid to Cyprus under its initiative.