Thirty eight Romanians were evacuated from the Gaza strip to Israel, and 24 of them will be brought back to Romania, according to Romania's External Affairs Ministry.

The 38 Romanian citizens moved out of the conflict zone on a voluntary basis, and were given transport means to Cairo, as well as issued the necessary documents. Only 24 of them wanted to return home with the help of Romanian state airline Tarom.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry asked all Romanians who are in the Gaza Strip to contact Romania's Office in Ramallah and give their locations, as well as those of their relatives, so that they can be assisted by the Romanian state in case of emergencies.

Anyone affected by the current situation in the Gaza Strip can call +40213192137, which is available non-stop, or email drco@mae.ro. The coordinates of the Rammalah office are 97222401025, +972543386425, +972549209152; e-mail: romofficeramallah@gmail.com. The Romania Embassy at Tel Aviv: +972545643279, e-mail: office_romania@bezeqint.net.

Conflict has again broken out between Israelis and Palestinians in recent weeks, with Israel responding to rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip with air assaults. Latest figures from the BBC suggest that this most recent wave of violence has already claimed the lives of 139 Palestinians and five Israelis. News has just surfaced of  a bomb explosion on a bus in Tel Aviv, Israel today (November 21 ) and early reports suggest at least ten people injured. After hopes for a ceasefire over the last few days, both sides have launched fresh attacks in the last 24 hours.

editor@romania-insider.com