The humanitarian needs are there in Gaza and the Amalthea initiative will continue, reassured on Tuesday President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides.

In a press conference with the European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, following their visit to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaka, President Christodoulides said the tragic events should make all redouble efforts for more aid to flow into Gaza.

On her part, Metsola also condemned the fatal attack on the WCK convoy, which resulted to the death of seven people, adding that the European Parliament will keep pushing for a cease fire and the return of all hostages. She also underlined that there can be no prospect of peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza as long as Hamas operates with impunity.

In his remarks, President Christodoulides condemned the killings of the seven humanitarian aid workers working for World Central Kitchen in Gaza trying to deliver desperately needed assistance. He said the “WCK  is one of our crucial partners in sending much needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza and on implementing the Amalthea Initiative. I express our sincere condolences to the WCK and the countries which have lost their citizens and we call for an immediate and complete investigation of this incident”.

President Christodoulides said that 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 and impact Europe in crucial areas, such as security and migration”. He noted that the tragic events should not discourage us. He repeated that the Amalthea initiative “is not a substitute to other routes, namely the all-important land routes and the air drops”.

In her remarks, the EP President described Cyprus as “Europe’s primary gateway to the Middle East, Asia and Africa” and said that what is happening in Cyprus “is a precise translation of our European values, solidarity, peace. United in our defence of our common humanity”. Noting that the “situation on the ground remains desperate” in Gaza, Metsola said that “too many innocent people have died” and that “we must use all our resources to get answers, to bring in more relief. Humanitarian organisations like World Central Kitchen must be protected”, she stressed.

Praising President Christodoulides for his “leadership and personal commitment” to make the Amalthea project “a tangible success, a reality”, Metsola said “our approach is to get more help into Gaza, save innocent lives, and advance the need for a two-state solution that gives Palestinians a true perspective while giving Israel security”.

She said “the European Parliament will keep pushing, as we have been doing for months, for a cease fire. We will keep seeking the return of the remaining hostages. We will continue to emphasise that there can be no prospect of peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza as long as Hamas operates with impunity”. At the same time she noted that “we will continue to advocate for a settlement that empowers peaceful, legitimate Palestinian leadership and one that ensures lasting stability in the region”.