Cyprus to keep operating Gaza maritime corridor despite deaths of volunteers from partnering charity

Cyprus’s president urges an immediate investigation into the killing of seven aid workers in an airstrike in Gaza overnight, saying the US-based World Central Kitchen was a “crucial partner” in efforts to get aid to the enclave by sea.

“We need to double down on efforts to get aid to Gaza,” Nikos Christodoulides said, after a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

A strike hit a convoy carrying a World Central Kitchen team which had just unloaded more than 100 tons of food aid brought to Gaza by sea from Cyprus. Citizens from Australia, Poland and Britain were among the victims.

The charity said it was pausing operations in the region with immediate effect. WCK has been active in Gaza since October, bringing food by land routes and also participating in airdrops.

Last month, it launched an inaugural sea corridor transporting aid to the enclave from Cyprus. A second convoy of ships taking just over 300 tons of aid left Cyprus last weekend.

“The Amalthea initiative will continue as long as the humanitarian needs are there,” Christodoulides says, referring to the maritime route.