AN official in Cyprus says aid ships that arrived in Gaza this week will return to the Mediterranean island nation carrying some 240 tons of undelivered aid after an air strike killed seven aid workers.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said that around 100 tons of aid had been unloaded before World Central Kitchen (WCK), an international charity, suspended operations.
Seven of the charity’s workers were killed by an apparent Israeli strike.
The UK's Foreign Secretary says British nationals are reported to have been killed. An Australian, Polish, Palestinian, and a dual US-Canadian citizen have also died, WCK said.
The CEO of WCK says it was an "unforgiveable attack".
READ MORE: LBC: Senior IDF member pulls out of Nick Ferrari interview 'seconds' before starting
Cyprus has played a key role in trying to establish a maritime aid corridor to Gaza from its port city of Larnaca.
Those efforts suffered a major setback when WCK halted operations.
Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said the charity is suspending operations in Gaza out of respect for the victims as well as to review security protocols.
Israel has expressed sorrow over the deaths and vowed to carry out an independent investigation into what happened while stopping short of accepting responsibility.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel