Is Visiting Israel Risky Right Now?

Flights to Tel Aviv were canceled as hundreds were wounded and thousands were injured in latest attack.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared war after Hamas launched hundreds of missiles over the border from Gaza on Saturday.

At the same time, recent reports from Gaza claim numerous people have been killed and injured in Israeli attacks on the beleaguered territory, according to local media.

There have been reports of citizens and soldiers being held prisoner, and alarm sirens have sounded throughout southern and central regions of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as a result of the unexpected onslaught by Hamas terrorists over the frontier.

Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, issued a rare public address in which he called on all Palestinians to face Israel, saying that "enough is enough", and that the day marks the beginning of the last global uprising against oppression.

In the face of worldwide outrage, this is the latest travel warning for Israel issued by the United Kingdom.

All travel is strongly discouraged by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to:

• Gaza
• The Lands of Sheba and Ghajjar
• East of Metula, includes the northern edge of the town, at the Syrian and Lebanese borders

All but required travel is discouraged by the FCDO to:

• Northwestern West Bank regions - Jenin city, Burqin, Arranah and Jalamah
• Locations around Nablus - the Tomb of Joseph, the Balata and New Askar refugee camps, and the Huwara settlement to the south

How about flight status across the area?

The country's primary airport, located in Tel Aviv, has not halted flight operations. However, several air carriers are changing flight paths or canceling services.

Because of the continuing violence, several airlines have made changes to their flight schedules. Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, SunExpress, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta are just a few of the airlines that have altered their flying schedule as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Please check with your airline for information about your departure flight if you are currently a tourist in the ongoing war zone.

 

Source: theindependent.co.uk