The first group of 119 Chinese citizens were evacuated from Israel to Egypt on Thursday through the Taba border crossing in Egypt's South Sinai Province.
After completing the necessary procedures, the evacuees entered Egypt from the crossing at 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT) and were then guided onto buses. According to the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, the people evacuated from Israel were all students.
"After a missile hit our campus, the faculty first evacuated us to a hotel near Jerusalem. The Chinese ambassador to Israel soon came to the hotel and talked with us. He analyzed the situation for us and advised us to leave Israel for the time being," said Yue Xinlei, an evacuated Chinese student.
"One of our major concerns at the time was that it might be unsafe if we were to withdraw by land on our own. So with the ambassador's promise, we are guaranteed to be organized and accompanied by embassy staff when we leave together on bus, which has greatly put us at ease," said Zhi Weifeng, another evacuated Chinese student.
"Basically, the route of withdrawal was entirely arranged by the embassy, and they have also prepared necessary food and drinking water for us on the way," said Yue.
"The whole process is quite smooth and successful," Zhi said.
The evacuees will later be transferred to Cairo, according to Zhao Yan, a counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt.
"Upon learning that the 119 Chinese compatriots would be withdrawn from Israel, the embassy's Party committee was highly concerned, and immediately activated the emergency mechanism. Ambassador Liao Zhiqiang personally made arrangements, and the pre-work group dispatched by the embassy also rushed to the Taba Port to greet the 119 compatriots. Next, we plan to send these 119 compatriots collectively to Cairo," Zhao said.
119 Chinese evacuated from Israel to Egypt
119 Chinese evacuated from Israel to Egypt
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
