The US Embassy in Nicosia on Monday in cooperation with Cyprus is organising the safe passage of US citizens from Haifa to Limassol port.
The evacuation option by sea was announced on Sunday on platform X by the embassy. The post provided links to information for US citizens who wish to leave Israel this way.
The US Embassy in Nicosia encouraged US citizens to make reservations for their onward journey from Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO) airports in Cyprus, the post states.
“Cyprus has two international airports, primarily in Larnaca and another in Paphos. We encourage you to use online search engines and similar sites to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements prior to arrival in Limassol. The US Embassy will provide buses to both airports from the port of Limassol,” information on the US State Department website reads.
Meanwhile the US embassy in Cyprus discouraged fleeing US citizens from making travel arrangements through the internationally unrecognized ‘TRNC’.
“The US Embassy strongly advises against any options for stay or travel that may be offered by websites in the northern part of the island (e.g. Ercan Airport),” the post said, referring to the illegal airport in occupied Tymbou.
“The US Embassy cannot support any access or movements in the area north of the buffer zone,” it added.
The vessel, which was originally believed to be due to arrive in Cyprus on Sunday evening is now expected to dock in Limassol with over 2,000 passengers early on Tuesday morning.
Onboard will be mainly US citizens fleeing the increasingly dangerous situation in Israel and Gaza.
US undersecretary of state Victoria Nuland, in a post on platform X, thanked Cyprus for its support.
“Grateful to Republic of Cyprus President for the support his government has shown to US citizens transiting Cyprus following the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel,” she wrote.
On Saturday the Biden administration ordered ‘non emergency’ staff to leave Israel and urged Americans in Gaza to head the crossing to Egypt in the hope it will be open.
A Royal Danish plane landed in Paphos on Saturday from Israel with 80 passengers on board.
A further UK government-arranged evacuation flight out of Tel Aviv, carrying 18 British nationals, also arrived on Saturday morning at Larnaca with more flights expected to follow in coming days.
According to British reports, the aircraft used for this repatriation flight was an Airbus 400M, provided by the Royal Air Force, as the commercial airline originally contracted to execute repatriation flights from Israel has been having difficulties arranging insurance.
Among the evacuees were eight people with dual Cypriot and British citizenship.
The foreign office said its flights were available to British nationals, including dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK.
Each ticket costs £300, which it said “reflects the costs of operating the flight”.
The Cyprus government on Tuesday activated the national ‘Estia’ action plan for the reception of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Israel since when a strong of planes and ships have arrived.
In addition to the US, other countries that have applied evacuate citizens from Israel through the Estia plan include Denmark, the UK, Portugal, Holland, Belgium and Germany.
By midday on Sunday the plan had reportedly seen 502 citizens of Portugal, the UK and Denmark evacuated on eight military flights.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Mail
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