Biden and Cyprus President Christodoulides Discuss Cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict

US President Joe Biden and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides recently discussed efforts to establish cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza. Cyprus, being the closest EU nation to Gaza, has been pivotal in delivering humanitarian aid since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began over a year ago. Christodoulides mentioned that Biden and White House officials briefed him on the latest US initiatives but did not provide further details.

Senior White House officials Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein are scheduled to visit Israel for discussions on potential cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza. They will also address the release of hostages held by Hamas. A US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that CIA Director Bill Burns is heading to Egypt to discuss these efforts further.

US-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue

Biden expressed gratitude towards Cyprus for its assistance in moving humanitarian aid into Gaza. He also acknowledged Cyprus's cooperation in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. The meeting followed an announcement by US and Cypriot officials about launching a strategic dialogue aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region through various initiatives, including counterterrorism training.

The proposal to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah involves a two-month cease-fire. During this period, Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon, and Hezbollah would cease its armed presence along the southern border. This plan was shared by two officials familiar with the discussions.

Strengthening US-Cyprus Relations

Cyprus has been strengthening its ties with the US, especially after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The collaboration includes a centre known as CYCLOPS, which trains personnel from Cyprus and neighbouring countries in maritime security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism techniques. The FBI is also involved in training Cypriot police to identify illegal financing and sanction evasion attempts.

Last month, Cyprus and the US signed a defence cooperation framework agreement. This outlines ways to enhance their response to regional humanitarian crises and security concerns. Christodoulides stated that Cyprus has proven to be a "predictable and reliable partner of the United States in a region of great geopolitical importance."

Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza

Earlier this year, Cyprus assisted the US in establishing a maritime corridor for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The USD 230 million temporary pier project faced challenges such as adverse weather conditions, security threats, and personnel restrictions. Despite these issues, it managed to deliver enough food for about 450,000 people for a month before being discontinued.

The Biden administration had initially aimed for the sea route to provide food for 1.5 million people over 90 days. However, it fell short of this target due to various obstacles, as noted in a USAID inspector general's report.