Cyprus Doubles Migrant Camp Capacity, Preparing for Potential Influx Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict and Lebanon Instability

With a recent surge in arrivals, and looming regional conflicts, Cyprus expands Main Migrant Reception Camp and seeks additional EU personnel; around 500 Syrians have arrived from Lebanon in just over a week.

Cyprus is doubling the capacity of its main migrant reception camp, the Pournara reception camp in Nicosia, preparing for a potentially large influx of migrants due to escalating conflicts in Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon.
Cyprus has seen a significant increase in migrant arrivals, with around 500 Syrians arriving from Lebanon in just over a week, and boat arrivals in August and September tripling compared to the same period last year.
In case of arrivals exceeding the expanded capacity of the Pournara camp, Cypriot authorities have established alternative venues for accommodating migrants and will request additional personnel from the European Union to help process asylum applications quickly.
Cyprus has accused Lebanon of failing to regulate migrant movements across the Mediterranean Sea, possibly due to Lebanon's involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the worsening situation in the country.
The UNHCR raised concerns about Cyprus deporting Syrian asylum seekers back to Lebanon, alleging that it breached international and European law. However, Cyprus maintains that these returns are lawful according to a bilateral agreement signed with Lebanon in 2004.