By Iole Damaskinos and Nicolaos Prakas
The ministry of foreign affairs issued a travel advisory on Sunday urging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Israel, Gaza and the Nablus and Jenin regions of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The ministry, meanwhile through the activated national crisis management centre, provided continuous telephone support to Cypriot citizens in the country without any particular problems being reported.
As stated in the travel advice, Cypriot citizens are advised to stay cautious, closely watch developments and information in international and local media, and follow official instructions.
Citizens are also advised to register to the online platform for Cypriots abroad Connect2CY.
In the event of an emergency, citizens can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Tel Aviv, at 61 Dizengoff street, Top Tower 14th floor, Tel Aviv 6433233, Israel, Tel. (+) 972 3 927 3007, +972 3 927 3008 (Consular Dept.) – (09:00-15:00, Monday–Friday), mobile No. (outside working hours): +972 54 8608603 and +972 54 7624122, Fax: +972 3 629 0535, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED].
They can also contact the Office of the Representative of the Republic of Cyprus in Ramallah at V.I.P. Centre, 100 Al Kawathar Street, Al Bireh Ramallah, West Bank Palestinian National Authority, tel: +972 2241 3206 (08:30-15:00, Monday–Friday), mobile No. (outside working hours): +972 2 2413236, fax: +972 2241 3208, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED].
Citizens can also call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Consular Affairs Directorate on telephone: +357 22 651113 (08:30-15:00, Monday-Friday) and the Crisis Management Department on telephone: +357 22 801000 (08:30-15:00, Monday-Friday) and mobile phone (outside working hours): +357 97 775998.
Meanwhile, in a press release, the foreign ministry said that it has been closely following the development of the security situation in Israel from the start.
It is noted that the national crisis management centre was immediately activated and provided continuous telephone support, in coordination with the Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Office of the Representative in Ramallah, to Cypriot citizens in the country or citizens who had a planned transit from Cyprus to Israel and wished to be updated on the situation.
No particular problems have been reported with regard to the safety of any Cypriot citizens.
Since commercial flights are continuing so far, Cypriot citizens who wish to return to Cyprus are encouraged to proceed with their own arrangements.
The ministry continues to monitor the development of the situation and to provide information to the public, who are urged to follow the instructions of the local authorities, stay alert and watch international and local media.
Meanwhile, two groups of Cypriot tourists in Israel were returning on Sunday, the foreign ministry confirmed and no Cypriots living in Tel Aviv for either study or work have been injured.
The ministry said that only one of three groups of Cypriot tourists, with around 100 people each, communicated with Cyprus’ authorities to inform them they would be returning later Sunday.
From what the ministry was informed by the one group, there are severe delays at the Tel Aviv airport from the onset of the violence. The second group is set to return later in the day as well, while the ministry is still attempting to secure the third
In an announcement on social media, the airline TUS said that they would be running more routes between Tel Aviv and Larnaca.
The company added that times of flights may change, so passengers should check information online frequently.
In statements on Sunday following the onset of violence, Cyprus’ ambassador to Israel Kornelios Korneliou said the embassy had been in action since the first instant.
“It was a very difficult day which started very early with the first wave of missile attacks from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. This situation continued until late,” he said.
Commenting on the Cypriots in Israel, Korneliou said that dozens of Cypriots were in the country for medical reason, or for tourism or other reasons, including a cancelled concert of Bruno Mars. There were also 300 people as part of tour groups visiting holy sites.
“It was a difficult exercise, fortunately, however, there were no Cypriots among the victims or the injured,” he said.
“It is very important that Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv continues to operate, even though some companies have either suspended or reduced their flights, which naturally creates difficulties in finding seats,” he said.
He added that many Cypriots had contacted the embassy in Tel Aviv to get information on flight delays and cancellations, and on how best to leave Israel.
Commenting further on the situation, and whether there were Cypriots in the Gaza strip area, where most of the fighting occurred, Korneliou said there weren’t and that he had spoken with Cyprus’ ambassador to the Palestinian authority and that they have not hear anything concerning.
He added that he had been in contact with Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, and informed him that the embassy staff are all well, and that the Cypriots are doing well.
“Everyone is well, we are now awaiting the guidelines from the Israeli government, to see if we will go back and to learn if embassies and state services will operate tomorrow,” he said.
He added that the fighting was a shock, and that it reminded of scenes from the 1973 war between Israel and Palestine.
“It seems however that this time things are serious, and this war will take some time,” he said.
Commenting on staff from the embassy, he said some staffers live in southern Tel Aviv and saw the missiles from Gaza flying overhead, and then the Israeli anti-missile systems intercepting them.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Mail
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Mail
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