Israel on October 8 formally declared a ‘state of war’. Moldova’s Embassy in Israel works in a 24/7 alert regime. A cell crisis was constituted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) of Moldova to monitor the security situation in Israel and is permanently in contact with the Embassy and other responsible institutions, IPN reports.

The Ministry said that it does not possess any information about Moldovans having been taken hostage or being among the victims. Moldova’s Embassy in Israel received about 30 requests for information from Moldovans about the status of commercial flights. They are guided and assisted in these approaches by the Embassy’s diplomatic personnel.

Israel’s main airport Ben Gurion works as usual, while the flights are operated from Terminal 3. The Israeli airspace is open. One of the two Moldovan airlines continues to operate commercial flights according to schedule. As an alternative, the Moldovans can use commercial flights to Bucharest. The next Tel-Aviv – Chisinau commercial flights were scheduled for October 10, 11, 12, and 15.

“We remind of the importance of strictly obeying the security instructions issued by the Israeli authorities. Our Embassy keeps in touch with our citizens in Israel and closely cooperates with the relevant Israeli institutions. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are now in Israel are urged to register,” the MFAEI noted in a press release.

For any question or legal assistance related to the security situation in Israel, the Moldovans can contact the Embassy in Israel or use the Ministry’s emergency line. Contact information:  website: https://israel.mfa.gov.md/, email: tel-aviv@mfa.gov.md, emergency phone line: +972527789772, 24/7. They can also contact the MFAEI’s Call Center: 0 80 090 990 – free from landline from any locality of the Republic of Moldova; +373 22 188 000 – for calls from mobile phone or from abroad, or the email: call.center@mfa.gov.md.

Israel said it is ‘at war’ after the surprise attack carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7. Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented attack on Israel. The number of casualties is not clear, but the international press reported several hundred deaths. As a result, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.