Cyprus will continue with Gaza aid operation despite deaths, ships return (update 5) | Cyprus Mail

>**This has turned out “*****to be a very sad day*****”**, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday after seven members of the World Central Kitchen NGO were killed in an Israeli attack but he pledged the humanitarian aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza would continue.

>Christodoulides was speaking as he welcomed European Parliament head Roberta Metsola to the joint rescue and coordination centre (JRCC) in Larnaca, which acts as hub for the Amalthea initiative delivering aid to civilians in Gaza by sea.

>“*We must use all our resources to get answers, to bring in more relief. Humanitarian organisations like World Central Kitchen must be protected*”, Metsola said.

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>An Israeli strike hit a convoy carrying a WCK team which had just unloaded more than 100 tons of food aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route from Cyprus late on Monday night.

>The exact effect the incident will have on the sea corridor remains to be seen, after **WCK said its activities in the area had been suspended following the attack**.

>However, the three ships that left on Saturday which were being unloaded as the strike hit on Monday night turned round on Tuesday and headed back to Cyprus.

>Christodoulides joined calls by others for a full investigation into the incident.

>“***World Central Kitchen is one of our crucial partners in sending much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza*** *and in […] the Amalthea Initiative. I express our sincere condolences to the WCK & the countries which have lost their citizens and we call for an immediate & complete investigation*”, Christodoulides said.

>“*The tragic events of last night prove once again that this is not a regional crisis of limited concern or impact. Its effects reverberate across the region*”.

>Christodoulides went on to say that it was **necessary to redouble efforts for peace in the face of the tragedy**.

>Metsola’s presence at the centre signalled the support of 400 million EU citizens concerned about the severely deteriorating condition in Gaza, Christodoulides added.

>The president went on to state that safeguarding humanitarian aid workers was non-negotiable under international law, and that the international community must uphold this principle.

>The president reiterated the developments of the Amalthea initiative, intended to make the flow of food & other much-needed aid to Gaza “*stable & predictable*”, such as activation of the “*Amalthea fund*” & construction of a pier by US forces on the Gaza coast.