Romania and Hungary flew 460 of their citizens out of Israel as hostilities continued in Gaza between militants and Israeli forces, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said on Monday
No fewer than 245 persons were flown out the Israel to Romania.
Four planes flew to Israel, two of them from the state-owned airline TAROM, and two others from private airlines.
Two groups of pilgrims were among the evacuees.
While 215 Hungary citizens were airlifted out of Tel Aviv on two military planes following the large-scale attack by Hamas militants on Israel.
The Hungarian Air Force planes landed at Budapest airport on Monday morning, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó disclosed on Facebook.
The two Airbus A319 aircraft that were used served as standby aircraft for the Hungarian government.
Recall that the Israeli government had declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack.
The toll passed 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.
Israel’s military says it has retaken control of all communities around Gaza, more than 48 hours after Hamas launched a surprise assault in which more than 700 people were killed.
Videos show the horror on the ground, including an attack on a music festival where Israeli rescuers say they found 260 people dead. Other clips show Israeli civilians being captured. Hamas claims it is holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers.
Israel’s Minister of Defense said he has ordered the “complete siege” of Gaza, cutting off electricity, food, fuel and water to the enclave. This comes as Israel has pounded Gaza with airstrikes and formally declared war on Hamas Sunday. Almost 500 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and medical care has been complicated by Israel cutting power to the territory.
Hamas on Monday said it fired rockets toward four Israeli cities in response to the strikes in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader and former caretaker Prime Minster Yair Lapid said a ground incursion into Gaza is “not off the table,” but that Israel must consider the fate of the dozens of hostages that have been whisked into the enclave.
“On one hand everything is on the table, nothing is off, including an incursion. On the other hand, we have people there, and we are worried sick about them,” Lapid said in an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson.
It is unclear how many people have been kidnapped. Israeli authorities have said “dozens” are being held in Gaza, while Hamas claims to have more than 100. Islamic Jihad, another Islamist militant group, said it is holding 30.
