Aid ship for Gaza soon expected to depart Cyprus after security checks A ship laden with relief supplies for Gaza was preparing to depart Cyprus on Saturday as part of efforts to aid a population on the brink of famine. The security checks expected to be carried out on the cargo loaded onto the ship will be conducted by Cypriot customs officials in the presence of Israeli officials, FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar said, reporting from Jerusalem. Meanwhile it remains unclear how and where the ship will unload the aid when it reaches Gaza, Hilliar said.