The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) still has no data on Portuguese people directly affected by Hamas’s attacks on Israel, and has identified 80 nationals in the country.
In a statement, the MNE indicates that “about 80 national citizens were identified, including tourists and residents, who contacted the emergency consular office to declare their presence in the territory or request assistance in identifying alternatives to leave the country.”
Similar to what other European Union partners are doing, the MNO’s consular services are identifying commercial flights that can be used to leave the country, the ministry note said.
Through the Portuguese Embassy in Tel Aviv, the MNO “constantly monitors the situation, both with regard to the Portuguese and with regard to developments in the conflict, and also maintains contacts with local authorities, but also with other countries, especially those from the European Union”, adds he added.
The MNE also informs that “the service at the Consular Emergency Office has been strengthened”, and emphasizes that “contacts should only be made via these numbers – +351217929714 / +351961706472 (regular telephone calls) or via email [email protected]” .
The government also reiterates the advice to travelers on the Portal of the Portuguese Communities.
The Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory on Saturday, dubbed Operation ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’, with the launch of thousands of rockets and the incursion of armed militiamen by land, sea and air.
In response to the surprise attack, Israel bombed several Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip from the air, in an operation it dubbed “Iron Swords”.
At least 300 people died in Israel after the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas, while at least 313 Palestinian people were killed as part of the Jewish state’s powerful air offensive over Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is “at war” with Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
Source: DN
