What is the current situation in Israel?

Rockets have been shot into Israel hitting cities involving Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and armed terrorists are present in the country.

The current death toll implies 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza, as said by the health officials, and more than 1,300 Israelis have been declared by Israeli medical services. 338,000 Gazans are now set forth, according to the UN.

Authorities have also verified the deaths of nine US citizens whereas 10 British individuals are either found dead or missing.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has improved its travel instructions for the impacted areas advising against all but important travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

This implies holiday organizations with clients in the region must bring them to their homes as quickly as possible and stop all future travel until everything is settled. In particular, the FCDO now makes recommendations against all travel to:

Gaza
the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar.
Within 500m of the border with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’) east of Metula, involving the northern edge of the town, and at a range of 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’).
The region close to the border with Gaza involves the following: the region southwest of Ashkelon; the region south of Route 35 and west of Route 40 as far as Tlalim, not comprising Be’er Sheva; the area west of Be’er Sheva; the area north of route 211.

The FCDO also informs that fire attacks have occurred in Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, Hadera, Jerusalem, and the Old City (specifically at and around Damascus Gate, Herod’s Gate, Lion’s Gate, and the Chain Gate), Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, the Jordan Valley, at Israeli boundaries, near settlement territories, and around Palestinian refugee camps.

You should take into consideration specific points when reaching out to these areas and only travel if it is important.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) likewise suggests travelers neglect all not-so-important travel to Israel as “ongoing war threatens an essential security risk.”

“Please neglect traveling to Southern Israel, and carry on to exercise extreme safety within Israel and the captured Palestinian territory, involving East Jerusalem,” the DFA says.

The US State Department has leveraged its travel suggestions for Israel, asking individuals to “reconsider travel.”

“Terrorist groups, independent terrorists, and other violent activists consistently plotting potential attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza,” the State Department said in the advisory.

“Terrorists and violent activists may charge with little or no warning, keeping an eye on tourist locations, transportation centers, markets/shopping malls, and local government amenities.”

Hotline and assistance for tourists in Israel

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism conveys they are “keeping track of the scenarios and are dedicated to making sure that all tourists coming to Israel are secure and learned.”

To assist in this, they have put forward a ‘tourist hotline’.

The provided contact detail for WhatsApp inquiries is +972-55-972-693 and the email ID is: virtual@goisrael.gov.il

Visitors can also contact 104 for details and suggestions in various languages or contact Home Front Command on WhatsApp and SMS at +972 (0) 52-9104104.

Are there flights operating to and from Israel?

Tel Aviv International Airport – the prime travel center in the country – is still working, but various airlines have called off or changed the direction of their services.

US carriers United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines have postponed flights whereas European operators involving Lufthansa, Air France, and Finland’s Finnair have also been postponed.

British Airways verified on Wednesday that it was calling off all scheduled flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport after it changed the direction of a flight back to London due to security issues.

EasyJet called off flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday and has declared it is regulating service times over the following few days.

It is important that you go through your government’s advice on visiting Israel prior to leaving for your trip.

For example, if you opt to visit Israel from the UK now that legal advice objects against traveling to Israel, you won’t be secured by standard travel insurance policies.

If you have chosen a package holiday to Israel, you can call it off and get a full refund due to the ‘no-go’ travel caution.

Impact on Aviation

Among the places Hamas has acquired, it is focusing on Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s international center, situated just outside Tel Aviv.

CNN’s Nic Robertson was at the airport ground on Saturday, October 7, when the noise of missiles was heard up above.

He and the remaining travelers and crew put their face-down on the ground. Sirens were buzzing in the distance and missiles were stopped by the country’s Iron Dome air defence system.

Despite the attacks, Ben Gurion’s website declared the country’s largest and busiest airport was still working and operational. This was declared according to Monday morning.

The country’s second-largest airport, Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport (ETM) situated in the southern Red Sea city of Eilat, also declares its scheme to continue facilities.

The airline is providing choices for passengers who wish to secure their tickets, letting them use them on an unparticular future date. Reservation change fees are being taken off for passengers who have flights scheduled between now and October 21.

Anyone who wants to call off their trip is entitled to a voucher. Also, they can acquire by inputting the form on El Al’s website. The airline also has an emergency hotline for consumers impacted by the scenario.

Conclusion

The FCDO informs that international boundaries – both air and land – in Israel and OPTs could shut down at small notice.

British passengers are being “strongly encouraged” to incorporate their presence with the FCDO.

“We can then provide essential updates, comprising details to support you to get out of the country. Input the form for each person of your family or group who is a British national,” incorporates the FCDO.

If you are presently in Israel, your travel insurance still is eligible for you until you manage to get out of the country.