Cyprus deported dozens of Israelis who tried to enter the Turkish side

A group of 39 Israelis, some of whom were on their way to a poker competition on the Turkish side of Cyprus, was detained at the airport in Larnaca and returned to Israel by the local authorities.

Cypriot officials explained the move by saying that the Turkish side is considered occupied territory, making its entry from the Cypriot side.

The group had reportedly been forewarned by the Israeli Embassy in Cyprus not to try to cross over, but did so anyway.