Zambia's government has evacuated 77 nationals from Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militants.

The evacuees, who returned to Zambia on Wednesday, include 72 students.

Zambia's Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo said on Thursday that 172 Zambians, including 143 students, live in Israel, but some of them had declined the government's evacuation offer and opted to stay behind.

“For those who have chosen to remain in Israel, be rest assured that the ministry will maintain close collaboration with the Zambian embassy and the Israeli foreign ministry to take any necessary actions that will ensure their continued safety,” he was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency.

He added that no Zambian had died in the war.