An explosion near the Israeli embassy in Cyprus

Police in Cyprus announced that a small explosion occurred during the night near the Israeli embassy in the capital, Nicosia, without causing injuries or damage.

The police revealed that a metal object containing “a small amount of flammable material” exploded about 30 meters from the vicinity of the embassy complex, which is located in a densely populated area in Nicosia.

A security source said: The police are questioning four young men between the ages of 17 and 21 who were found in the area.

The police found two knives and a hammer in the car of one of these young men. Cyprus's official radio reported that the detainees were Syrians.

Cyprus is an evacuation zone

Cyprus has tightened security measures at locations across the island. Following the incident, the authorities expanded the security cordon around the embassy and closed roads.

It is not yet known whether the incident is related to the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of American citizens from Israel arrived in Cyprus early on the seventeenth of this month on board the first sea evacuation flight organized by the United States amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

About 159 people boarded the ship "Rhapsody of the Seas", which left Haifa and sailed to the port of Limassol in Cyprus.

Victor Papadopoulos, a Cypriot government official, told Cypriot state television at the time that more evacuation ships were expected to arrive.

Foreign governments have been using Cyprus as a transit center to evacuate their citizens since October 7.

On the tenth of this month, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: The country is ready to help evacuate nationals of third countries who may wish to leave Israel after the surprise attack launched by the Qassam Brigades.

A Cypriot ministerial committee activated the repatriation plan known as “Estia,” which grants temporary residency and aid to citizens of European Union countries and other countries fleeing crisis areas.

The ministry said in a statement: “In this context, the Republic of Cyprus intends to provide facilities for the return of foreign nationals from Israel via Cyprus.”