Parliament passes Gaza ceasefire resolution

The House on Thursday passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for continued support to the maritime aid corridor known as ‘Amalthea’ despite the Israeli military’s deadly attack against members of the World Central Kitchen NGO.

The resolution – which is not binding – passed with 28 votes in favour from the Diko, Disy, Dipa and Elam MPs. Akel, the Greens and independent MP Alexandra Attalidou voted against. Edek leader Marinos Sizopoulos abstained.

The resolution was brought by Diko. Earlier, Akel had submitted a different ceasefire resolution, but it was defeated with 15 votes for and 28 against.

In the resolution that did pass, the Cypriot parliament calls for an immediate ceasefire in Israel/Gaza, and urges the warring parties to return to the negotiating table so as to reach “a peaceful and lasting solution that benefits both peoples”.

It also calls on the United Nations, in particular the UN Security Council, to redouble its efforts toward an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations.

The text goes on to demand “the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages cruelly and inhumanely abducted during the terrorist attack by Hamas.”

Elsewhere the resolution underlines the need to support and further develop the ‘Amalthea’ initiative ensuring the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution strongly condemns the recent attack against the US-based World Central Kitchen charity, during which seven aid workers were killed. It calls for a swift investigation into the incident.

An Israeli government spokesperson said Thursday that publication of the investigation’s findings could take weeks.