Smoke rises during an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential tower in Gaza City, on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Chinese companies have launched contingency measures as the tension between Israel and Palestine continues, suspending ongoing work and projects, assembling staff at safe places and stocking up on food and medical supplies while keeping an eye on how the situation develops, the Global Times learned from company sources on Tuesday.

Companies are counting their staff after some Chinese citizens were reported missing and some were injured in attacks, sources said.

A representative with a Chinese company contracting projects in Israel, who declined to be identified, told the Global Times that all work has been put to a stop, work sites have been sealed off and employees have assembled at safe places waiting for further notices from the Chinese Embassy.

"We have enough food and medical supplies and employees' moods are stable," the person said. "We are also enhancing safety drills, including how to evacuate during air raids. Supplies for potential emergency evacuation are being prepared. In the meantime, we are paying close attention to property owners on when to restart our projects."

There are still Chinese citizens in Israel who are out of touch, and all parties are stepping up contact, and Chinese companies in Israel are also keeping statistics on their personnel, a person with the Israel China Chamber of Commerce told the Global Times on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

But she said that the operations of local enterprises have not been greatly affected by the conflict, and no projects or assets are known to have been damaged.

At least three Chinese citizens were shot in the attack, and another four are reportedly missing while the Chinese Embassy in Israel and local Chinese companies and communities are seeking them, the Global Times learned from the chamber.

An employee of a Chinese engineering company based in Tel Aviv surnamed Li told the Global Times on Tuesday that since there are many workers in engineering projects, safety is their top priority.

Taking into account Israel's security situation, the projects undertaken by its company has strict safety management regulations and emergency plans, Li said.

In response to the most common rocket attacks, Li's company would set up special shelters and organize regular drills. Employees are asked not to go to cities close to the Gaza Strip.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, which included the launch of thousands of rockets and the infiltration into the Israeli towns bordering Gaza. The Israeli military conducted hundreds of airstrikes in response.

The latest death toll stood at 770 Palestinians in Gaza and more than 900 people in Israel, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin said that the ministry and relevant embassies and consulates abroad have issued safety alerts in response to the current situation in Israel and Palestine, advising Chinese citizens not to travel to Israel or Palestine. 

Chinese citizens and institutions who are already on the ground were advised to remain highly vigilant, strengthen safety precautions, make emergency preparations and take shelter on site.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also directed relevant embassies and consulates to make full efforts to search for and rescue relevant missing persons, treat the injured, and urge foreign parties to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions.

Despite the large-scale conflict, company representatives still hold confidence in business operations and investment in the region.

"Israel's investment risks have increased significantly," although the country's business environment ranks high in the region, and its attitude toward foreign business and investment is relatively positive, with special emphasis on investment in high-tech industries, Li said.

The person with the Israel China Chamber of Commerce said that the foreseeable economic impact on businesses should be limited.

"Since the Israeli military and Hamas clash with each other from time to time, people are generally relatively calm and do not have much panic…additionally, local family homes and some buildings have fortified safe rooms, where you can take shelter when the alarm sounds and follow local safety guidelines," she said.