The Republic's services are on standby, are ready to receive foreign nationals and for Cyprus to be used as a transit point as has happened in the past, Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, told reporters on Monday.

In remarks at Skarinou village in Larnaca district, the Minister was asked about Cyprus' readiness to receive foreign nationals given the situation in Israel. He said "all the relevant authorities of the Republic are on standby and alert, if and when an evacuation is required, as has occurred in other regions for other reasons, where we have responded successfully, the same will happen in this case".

He said the Special National Plan ESTIA for the reception and repatriation of foreign citizens from an area in crisis through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus will be activated and the relevant government authorities will be mobilised accordingly.

Meanwhile, the President of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association, Thanos Michaelides, has expressed concern about the situation in Israel.

Speaking to CNA, Michaelides said that Israel is the second most important market for Cyprus, and these developments are a cause for concern for the Cyprus Hoteliers Association. He remarked that they are firmly against this terrorist action against the people of Israel and expressed sorrow for the recent developments.

He further said what is happening in Israel is a humanitarian tragedy in a neighbouring country, which also happens to be the second-largest market for the hotel industry.