The sympathy of the Cypriot people was on Sunday offered by President Nikos Christodoulides during his visit to Jerusalem to relatives of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

“We know very well how you feel because we also went through a similar experience in Cyprus and we continue to face this humanitarian drama,” he told them.

“I wanted you to share your story with me because we’re all in this together, and see what we can do to help.

Our position, he added, is clear. “All the hostages must be released immediately.”

He also told them that one of the main reasons for his visit to Jerusalem is to express the desire of the people of Cyprus to help, expressing the hope that there will be positive news for the release of the hostages as soon as possible.

“If not,” he said, “then Cyprus during its EU presidency will have this issue as a key issue, so that we can do whatever it takes to help you.”

The relatives told the president how their loved ones were kidnapped and spoke about the drama they have been facing since then, asking for Christodoulides’ and the EU’s help to see them released.

Christodoulides will later have a private meeting with his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog followed by extended talks between the two delegations.

He will then meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Afterwards, President Christodoulides will travel to Ramallah, Palestine, where he will meet President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, who will host a working dinner.

Before departing, the president will visit the Unicef offices in Ramallah and have a meeting with the agency’s executives.