President: Cyprus is monitoring situation in Israel

Cyprus is ready to assist, especially in the field of health, in the situation that has developed in Israel, which it is closely monitoring, President Nikos Christodoulides has said.

He added that instructions have been given to increase checks at various points throughout the island.

Israel formally declared a state of war on Sunday as the death toll from an unprecedented Hamas attack a day earlier rose above 700 and was expected to rise further, with the fate of over a hundred people abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip still unclear.

Asked to comment on the events, President Christodoulides said: "We are closely monitoring the situation, and all internal procedures concerning the Republic of Cyprus in such cases have been activated."

He added, "We are in contact with the Israeli leadership and neighbouring states because what is happening there affects the wider region".

"At the same time," he continued, "Cyprus has expressed its readiness to help, especially in the field of health, if any needs arise."

"We are all aware that new information is constantly emerging regarding people who are seriously injured. Therefore, as the Republic of Cyprus, we have expressed our readiness, if deemed necessary by Israel, to assist in this specific sector," President Christodoulides stated.

When asked if there are security concerns for Cyprus, he indicated that "certainly, relevant checks have been increased, especially at specific points, such as airports, ports, marinas, in the Israeli diplomatic mission, and beyond," noting that there is also a large Israeli community on the island.

"Instructions have been given to enhance security in all these areas. We are monitoring it, evaluating it daily, and I hope that soon, despite the situation continuing, there will be developments that allow us to be optimistic that there will be an end to this situation," the President concluded.