Cypriots in Israel are safe, Ambassador says

Most of the Cypriots who have been in Israel and expressed their will to return to Cyprus due to the turmoil that has resulted after the Hamas attacks have already done so, while arrangements are being made for the return of those who are still in the country and want to return to Cyprus by commercial flights.

The Ambassador of Cyprus to Israel, Kornelios Korneliou, told CNA that a big group of pilgrims who are in Jerusalem is expected to return to the island soon, while 15 other Cypriots are still in Israel because they have not managed to find a commercial flight to bring them back home or because they do not want to return to the island.

"Most of the Cypriots have returned. All of them are safe and secure. There are no reports for Cypriots among the victims or those injured," said Korneliou, who was on Monday morning in his office at the embassy of Cyprus in the center of Tel Aviv along with the other members of the Cypriot diplomatic mission.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said that the vast majority of those who contacted during the weekend the embassy of Cyprus have managed to come back to Cyprus on commercial flights, as they continue to be carried out.

There are also those who live in Israel permanently and who have said that for the time being they will stay there. In these cases, they are in contact with the embassy, he noted, adding that both the Cypriot embassy and the Representation of the Republic of Cyprus in Ramallah are vigilant due to the situation.

As regards the Cypriot patients who are in hospitals in Israel, he noted that there are five patients who are hospitalised there at the state's expense, along with members of their families and need to stay in hospital. They are under the responsibility of the state and from the very first moment the embassy contacted them, Gotsis noted.

Asked about the possibility of an evacuation of EU citizens and citizens of other countries from Israel and Cyprus' role in such a case, Gotsis reminded that commercial flights are still carried out, noting that "provided our political stance on this crisis and our support to Israel, certainly if needed competent services will look into these issues."

To a question about a possible wave of refugees from Israel to Cyprus, he also noted that provided Cyprus' political position if such an issue comes up it it will be examined.

Asked if there has been any request for the provision of facilities from Cyprus, after the US decision to dispatch military ships to the area, Gotsis said that "there are national security issues."

"The political position that we maintain is clear. The security services are carrying out their duty," he noted.

Cyprus President expresses condolences to Israeli counterpart

Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides contacted on Sunday his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog, to whom he expressed his warm condolences for the victims of the terrorist attacks and conveyed the Republic of Cyprus support and solidarity with Israel and its people in these difficult times, Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said in a post on platform X.