NICOSIA: Cyprus police claimed to have arrested four people after a pipe bomb explosion near the Israeli embassy in Cyprus early on Saturday. The police said that the explosion caused minor damage and no injuries.
Police said that they arrested four suspects, aged between 17 and 21, but the authorities have not provided information about their identities or nationality. Two of the arrested suspects were on foot close to the scene, and another two were in a car parked on a nearby residential street.
The investigation is ongoing, and all four individuals are due to appear in court. Cyprus has heightened security measures around Israeli diplomatic missions and sites of Jewish interest due to the Israel and Palestine conflict but has reported few anti-Semitic incidents.
Cyprus explosive experts called to the site found the remains of a pipe bomb that detonated, causing slight damage, with police saying it contained the type of explosive material used in making fireworks.
Cyprus Increases Security Around Israeli Embassy
Cyprus, with its substantial Jewish community, has seen increased security measures around the Israeli embassy and Jewish sites of significance, like the synagogue in the southern port town of Larnaca, amid the ongoing conflict.
Interestingly, despite these precautions, there have been minimal reports of anti-Semitic incidents on this Mediterranean holiday island. Cyprus remains a favored destination for Israeli tourists, ranking as the second-largest national visitor group after the British.
Moreover, Cyprus has extended its assistance to those seeking refuge from the conflict, with people arriving on military flights and cruise ships, taking advantage of the island’s proximity, located just 155 miles (250 kilometers) from the Israeli coastline.
