Northern Cyprus warns its nationals in Palestine, Israel of their safety due to regional tension

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) -The Turkish Republic Northern Cyrpus (TRNC) issued a warning to its nationals Thursday who are in Palestine and Israel because of escalating tension in the region.

“Due to the developments in Israel and Palestine, it is recommended that our citizens, who are permanently and/or temporarily residing in Israel and Palestine, take all possible measures for their personal safety and continue to stay in safe closed areas,” said a statement from the Foreign Ministry. ​​​​​​​

It urged nationals to follow official websites and social media accounts of the Turkish and TRNC’s foreign ministries, Türkiye’s Tel Aviv Embassy and the Jerusalem Consulate.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.