Pope Francis appealed for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, mourning the death of aid workers in an Israeli airstrike and honoring a Ukrainian soldier killed in the conflict. Seven World Central Kitchen volunteers were killed in Gaza, prompting the Pope to express regret and call for an immediate ceasefire. He also held a moment of silence for the Ukrainian soldier, Oleksandr, who died in the war against Russia.
A woman carrying a baby walks at the site of an Israeli airstrike on a building in Rafah, Gaza Strip, amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
On April 3, 1948, U.S. President Truman signed the Marshall Plan into effect, allocating billion in overseas economic aid.
The attack on members of the NGO World Central Kitchen has led to the suspension of the humanitarian aid delivery program to Gaza. Despite this setback, the government is determined to keep the initiative alive. President Christodoulides emphasized the importance of continuing to send aid to Gaza, calling for more efforts to assist the civilian population. The President also stressed the need for the EU to take action in the region. Metsola praised Cyprus’s leadership in the “Amalthea” initiative and highlighted the importance of protecting those providing humanitarian aid.
World Central Kitchen suspended its operations in Gaza after seven of its aid workers were killed in an IDF strike. President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the maritime aid corridor will remain open despite the suspension.
The installation of undersea fibre optic cables in Yeroskipou will not impact areas under the Natura 2000 framework or other Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
The government of Cyprus has asked Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (Admie) to carry out a cost-benefit analysis for the Great Sea Interconnector project, which aims to link the electricity grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. The project, previously known as the EuroAsia Interconnector, is estimated to cost €1.9 billion. Cyprus is considering investing €100 million in the project and wants an updated analysis before making a final decision.
Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for an airstrike that killed two of its generals and five other military advisers in Damascus, heightening tensions in the Middle East conflict. The attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria was one of the most significant strikes on Iranian interests in the country. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but a senior Israeli official stated that the individuals targeted had been planning attacks on Israeli and American assets. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised revenge for the attack. The attack has drawn condemnation from Russia and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret over an Israeli airstrike that unintentionally killed seven people working for Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza. The airstrike hit a WCK convoy, killing citizens of Australia, Britain, and Poland, as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. The Israeli military pledged an independent inquiry into the incident, which drew widespread condemnation and increased pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Cyprus is deeply concerned about the increasing arrival of Syrian migrants, with five boats carrying 400 individuals arriving in the last 24 hours. President Nikos Christodoulides expressed discontent with Lebanese authorities for exporting migrants to Cyprus. The EU is urged to support Cyprus in addressing the migration issue. The government is implementing measures to tackle the influx, but the strain on resources is unsustainable. The majority of migrants arriving are from Syria, with a record number of arrivals in the first three months of 2024.