A total of 55 Cypriot citizens have requested repatriation from Israel and Iran, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Theodoros Gotsis.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Gotsis clarified that 50 of the requests came from citizens currently in Israel, and five from Iran.
Of the 50 in Israel:
- 12 are patients receiving medical care
- 11 are accompanying escorts
- 12 are permanent residents of Israel who have now requested evacuation
- 15 are Cypriot nationals visiting for business or tourism at the time of the attacks
Currently, air transfers from Israel are not possible. However, three patient escorts have crossed into Jordan in hopes of returning to Cyprus on a foreign aircraft.
Gotsis noted that two Cypriot patients were successfully transported to Cyprus over the weekend. In total, 58 repatriation requests were initially recorded, with some now completed or in progress.
Regarding the five Cypriots in Iran, arrangements are being explored and updates are expected within the day.
Cyprus is also assisting international partners under the “Estia” coordination mechanism- a national emergency framework used to support citizens abroad during crises. Slovakia and Portugal have submitted formal requests for help repatriating their nationals from the region, leveraging Cyprus’s geographic proximity and logistical capabilities.
Gotsis told CNA: “So far, we have requests, through the ‘ESTIA’ Plan, from two countries, Slovakia and Portugal,” to evacuate their citizens and other citizens from Middle Eastern countries, especially from Israel. “We are discussing with these two countries to see how we can assist with their requests,” he added.
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