By Iole Damaskinos, Nick Theodoulou, Nikolaos Prakas and Tom Cleaver

Cyprus’ proposal for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to the Gaza strip is being received positively, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We discussed the details and I hope soon we can proceed to the stage of implementation,” Christodoulides said.

When asked if Netanyahu had approved of the proposal, Christodoulides said “Of course he is positive.”

Christodoulides added that he was also due to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron later in the night, to discuss the possibility of the humanitarian corridor.

“I had a long discussion with the prime minister of Israel and tonight I will have a phone call with the French president to see how the to execute the proposal we developed,” he said.

He added that currently the details are being discussed and that he hopes soon they will be able to implement the plan.

Commenting on whether there will be checks on the humanitarian aid to be sent, the president said: “Of course it will be checked, from Cyprus where the humanitarian aid will leave from and where it will end up.”

Speaking earlier, Christodoulides noted that the government’s efforts are to prioritise humanitarian aid.

Reports earlier also said that Christodoulides is expected to speak with US officials on the establishment of the corridor.

“I informed the heads of state of the European Union about this proposal at the recent European Council meeting. Previously, I had informed the President of Egypt… and the Prime Minister of Israel on the same day,” he said.

He added that Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos had visited Jordan to discuss the possibility and had subsequently met his Palestinian counterpart, and that further such meetings and contacts will be made with other countries and international organisations “to see how we can proceed with the implementation of this initiative.

Kombos will also travel to Berlin on Wednesday to meet his German counterpart to discuss the proposal.

“Cyprus is a safe transit hub for the repatriation of people and through these actions, it emerges as a pillar of security in the region,” the president said.

“The war in our neighbourhood… not only destroys the view some have about frozen conflicts but is also a confirmation of the unstable environment in which we, as a small European Union country, must exist,” he added.

To this end, he said “Cyprus remains a bridge of peace and cooperation between the states and peoples of the region, and maintains excellent relations with all of them.

“Our country declares itself present and ready to play an important role in the humanitarian field,” he added.

Diplomatic sources told the Cyprus Mail that a humanitarian corridor would require the green light from Israel which will depend greatly on the phase of the war.

Indeed, obvious complications as to how aid could be transported into an active war zone lead to the question being raised of whether there must be a cessation of hostilities.

“Whether it’s called a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause, would 12 hours be enough to unload essential items or perhaps a day is required,” the source said.

Another complicating factor is how the aid can be dispensed without causing chaos on the ground among desperate people. A further issue raised is where the aid would be dispensed within Gaza.

But the source stressed that a humanitarian corridor is essential, particularly as the conflict drags on, and Cyprus has the facilities and the ideal location to serve such a mission.