LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Cruise tours to the Greek Cypriot Administration are plummeting, with nearly half of cruise stops this year canceled due to the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, a few hundred miles to the east, by sea.

A total of 90 of 200 cruise tours to ports of the Greek Cypriot Administration were reportedly canceled due to Israel's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon and tensions in the region, local media said on Wednesday.

Despite this year's cancellations, next year gives hope for tourism in the region, reports added.

Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which has killed some 44,000 people and injured over 100,000, recently entered its second deadly year, with prospects for a cease-fire dim, according to most observers.

*Writing by Merve Berker