KAN11 Scoop: UAE vessels may start bringing food already tomorrow to Gaza in
coordination with Israel
Dr. Aaron Lerner 9 March 2024

Below are English translations of the two KAN11 reports.

Of particular interest is mention of Israeli plans to involve Gaza clans in
distributing the aid while Mohammed Dahlan "coordinated" the program with
Hamas.

Looking from the outside it is tempting to jump to the conclusion that that
"coordination" means that Hamas is going to have people on the beach to take
possession of the aid to distribute it as they see fit.

But given Dahlan's sophistication, it is equally possible that Dahlan
induced the Hamas leadership in Qatar to make sure that Hamas Gaza does not
interfere with the food distribution activities of the Gaza clans nor takes
action against the Gaza clans for cooperating with Israel. Suffice it to say
that the Hamas leaders enjoying the high life in Qatar want to continue
doing so.

If this program works out, with food already coming it at the start of
Ramadan, and Gaza clans emerging as an alternative to Hamas on the ground,
this could be an important breakthrough.

If this program is a success it would not conflict with crushing Hamas in
Rafah.

If anything, the more efficiently aid can be provided, the easier to set up
emergency camps for the huge population which needs to be evacuated from
Rafah.
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With the Israel Navy providing security: The Emirates will sail aid from
Cyprus to Gaza
The United Arab Emirates has positioned several vessels in Cyprus, and they
are now waiting there for the arrival of food and humanitarian equipment,
which will be directly transferred to one of the beaches of Gaza in the
north of the Strip. The route may start operating as early as tomorrow.
Author KAN11.
Itai Blumental & Yoav Zehavi 07:46 March 9, 2024
https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/718109/

Israel has approved the United Arab Emirates to immediately start
transferring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the maritime route
from Cyprus. This was published for the first time this evening (Friday) in
the Friday News on KAN 11. This, while the United States is preparing to
establish a seaport off the coast of the Strip, a process expected to last
between one to two months. The capacity of maritime aid is ten times that of
aerial aid. The expectation is to start the maritime aid before the
beginning of Ramadan, meaning it might already start tomorrow.

The United Arab Emirates has positioned several vessels in Cyprus, which are
now waiting there for the arrival of food and humanitarian equipment, to be
directly transferred to one of the beaches of Gaza in the north of the
Strip. This is in order to overcome the traffic jams and looters that aid
trucks entering through Rafah encountered. Since the beaches of Gaza are
considered sparse, the ships will unload the containers into smaller
vessels, from which the shipments will be transferred to Gaza.

The maritime aid route was coordinated fully with Israel, and the containers
will be inspected on Cypriot soil by Cypriot security services. This under
the strict supervision of Israeli security personnel who will specially
arrive in the country. Israeli Navy ships will secure the vessels off the
coast of Gaza and during the delivery of the crates and equipment to the
shore. Israel has made contact with clans in Gaza, and will update them in
real-time that they should come and take the aid arriving at the shores of
Gaza. However, as long as the political echelon has not approved allowing
armed groups in Gaza to take control of certain areas, it is possible that
in the initial stage, looters, crime families, and perhaps even Hamas might
take control of the aid crates.

Follow up item:

Dahlan's comeback: The architect behind the naval operation to the Strip
The United Arab Emirates will operate the planned maritime aid line to the
Gaza Strip, but the architect of the operation is the senior Fatah member,
Mohammed Dahlan. Sources familiar with the details said that he is
coordinated with Hamas and even recently met with the leadership of the
organization in Doha.
Author: Elior Levy
00:45 | March 9, 2024
https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/718129/

The United Arab Emirates will operate the planned maritime aid line to the
Gaza Strip, but the architect of the operation is the senior Fatah member,
Mohammed Dahlan - as published this evening (Friday) in the Friday News on
Kan 11. Sources familiar with the details said that Dahlan is coordinated
with Hamas on the operation of moving goods from Cyprus. He even met with
the leadership of the terror organization in Doha three weeks ago.

Dahlan is in exile in Abu Dhabi and maintains close contact with the
Emirates and with President Mohammed bin Zayed. About two months ago, Dahlan
said in an interview: "We hope that October 7 will be a lesson for Israel.
The current government thinks so, and if they continue, an extremist
generation will grow from the current one. We still say that we want to live
alongside the people of Israel."

Regarding his political future, Dahlan said in an interview: "I'm not
looking for power and I haven't sought power. I don't see myself responsible
in any position in the Authority. I can help, I won't give up my
responsibility. I am a Palestinian citizen and I have experience that can be
beneficial, but to be in a position and work as an official for someone -
that's over, my understanding of the presidency is different."
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