The ten Cypriot patients currently receiving treatment in Israel and their 13 escorts are safe, despite the ongoing unrest in the country, Health Minister Michael Damianos said on Friday.

He added that, due to the 48-hour flight ban to and from Israel, patients would not be moved at this stage. However, all scheduled transfers to Israel have either been postponed or rerouted to other countries.

Speaking after a meeting with Greek Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous, Damianos said the health ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take any necessary measures to ensure the safety and uninterrupted care of the hospitalised patients.

“All patients and escorts are safe and currently face no danger. They have been thoroughly briefed on self-protection measures in case of an emergency or attack,” he said.

He noted that hospitals in Israel have implemented safety protocols and that the health ministry remains in constant contact with both the Cypriot embassy in Israel and the hospitals treating the patients.

So far, there have been no complaints from patients or family members regarding conditions in Israel, Damianos said, nor have there been any requests for immediate evacuation — with the exception of one isolated request for a patient to be transferred to a European country.