A vessel that had been part of a humanitarian flotilla heading toward Gaza docked at the Kato Paphos harbour at 5:00 PM on Friday, the Cyprus Ports Authority Director-General Anthimos Christodoulides confirmed.
The boat had initially requested to dock at the Latchi harbour, but due to lack of space, authorities instructed it to proceed to Paphos. After thorough inspection of the vessel’s documents and certifications, which were found to be in full legal order, permission to dock was granted.
“We conducted a full check of the vessel's documentation and certificates and confirmed their validity and completeness,” said Christodoulides.
He clarified that the vessel was accepted at the port only because it did not violate the decision of the Council of Ministers regarding restrictions on Cyprus ports linked to Gaza-bound flotillas.
Ten passengers undergoing standard checks
When asked about the individuals on board, Christodoulides said there were ten passengers. All are currently undergoing standard legal procedures, including identity checks by the Police and Port Authority officials.
“The necessary controls are underway to determine whether the passengers are EU nationals, citizens of third countries, or otherwise,” he noted.
The vessel had participated in a humanitarian initiative aimed at delivering aid to Gaza before docking in Cyprus. The authorities have made clear that its entry into the Republic’s territorial waters and subsequent mooring in Paphos followed full compliance with national procedures and maritime regulations.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a post on X that “a request has been received from a second ship, which participated in the international flotilla with destination the Gaza Strip, to dock in the Republic of Cyprus.”
He added that following the verification of all documents and necessary certificates by the competent services, the request was accepted and the ship docked in Paphos.
On Thursday at around 2300 a vessel that was also participating in the flotilla transporting humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip submitted a request and eventually docked at the port of Larnaca.
An ambulance crew went to the port and provided medical care to two people who were on board without having to be hospitalized. In addition, food and water were transferred to the vessel.