Skopje, 16 June 2025 (MIA) — A total of 28 citizens of North Macedonia have requested the government evacuate them from Israel and eight of them, including four children, will be taken to Egypt by Tuesday at the latest and then to Skopje on a government plane, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski told a press conference Monday.

Given the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, Mucunski said the embassy in Tel Aviv had been in direct communication with citizens since the start of the crisis and getting ready to evacuate them.

According to the foreign minister, the first group of eight will be taken to Egypt in a secure convoy Monday or Tuesday. The second group of nationals is expected to leave Tel Aviv as soon as Israel's airspace reopens for takeoffs and landings.

"We are carefully monitoring the situation in the Middle East and expressing our concern regarding the dangerous escalation," the FM said, urging all sides to honor international law and show restraint.

Mucunski said around a hundred Macedonian citizens were currently in Israel but only 28 of them so far had asked for help in getting evacuated.

He added that embassy staff was at a secure location and would remain available to help Macedonian citizens.

He said the government was not planning on evacuating diplomats yet but "this situation could change in the next 24 hours."

"We are adapting to the situation," Mucunski said.

Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski also said a government plane would evacuate several Macedonian citizens from Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade urged Sunday all nationals of North Macedonia currently in Israel and Iran to immediately call the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Tel Aviv at its emergency phone numbers for consular assistance.

The phone numbers are +972 54 500 8566 and +972 54 967 0546. The embassy can also be reached by email at telaviv@mfa.gov.mk.

Nationals can contact the foreign ministry, as well, by calling +389 75 273 732 or +389 75 268 736 or by email at globalsos@mfa.gov.mk. mr/