Middle East crisis: List of countries that have issued advisory against travel to Israel, Iran, Palestine and Lebanon
List of countries that have issued advisory against travel to Israel, Palestine & Iran
Amid the escalation of tensions in the West Asian region, several countries have issued an advisory asking people not to travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.
Here’s the list of countries that have warned against travel Israel, Iran, Palestine and Lebanon.
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India
Indian foreign ministry on Friday (Apr 12) issued an advisory to all Indians asking them to not travel to Iran or Israel till further notice.
The advisory noted that all those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian embassies there and register themselves.
“They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added.
- Poland
Poland’s foreign ministry on Friday issued an advisory against travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon stating, “It cannot be ruled out that there will be a sudden escalation of military operations, which would cause significant difficulties in leaving these three countries.”
“Any escalation may lead to significant restrictions in air traffic and the inability to cross land border crossings,” the statement added.
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France
The French foreign ministry on Friday released a statement on social media platform X stating that French citizens should avoid travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
The statement further said that the relatives of Iran-based diplomats will return to France and the French civil servants were barred from conducting missions in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
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United States
The US on Thursday said that it had instructed its employees residing in Israel to avoid travelling outside of greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva areas.
“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” the U.S. embassy said in a security alert on its website on Thursday. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.”
- Russia
Russia also issued an advisory against travel to the Middle East, especially Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
“The tense situation in the Middle East region persists,” said the foreign ministry.
“The situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, as well as in the area of the ‘Blue Line’ between Lebanon and Israel, remains unstable.”
“We strongly recommend that Russian citizens refrain from travelling to the region, especially to Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, except in cases of extreme necessity,” it said.
– Other countries that have warned citizens against travelling to the Middle East include Norway, Britain, Canada and Australia.
Middle East crisis: threat of Iranian attack on Israel ‘still viable’, says White House – as it happened
The White House warned on Friday that the prospect of an Iranian attack on Israel is “still a viable threat”. This comes as the US sought to deter Iran with concerted declarations of commitment to Israeli security, but also restricted the movements of its diplomats in Israel over security fears. “We are in constant communication with our Israeli counterparts about making sure that they can defend themselves against those kinds of attacks,” said John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson.
Residents reported heavy Israeli fire in central Gaza on Friday
Residents reported heavy Israeli fire in central Gaza on Friday. Authorities reported dozens of new airstrikes in Gaza’s central region. The Hamas media office said 25 people were taken to hospital in Deir al-Balah city “as a result of an airstrike on a house of the al-Tabatibi family”. Israel’s military said its aircraft had struck more than 60 militant targets in Gaza over the previous day.
Iran-backed Hezbollah fires dozens of missiles towards Northern Israel
Lebanon-based Hezbollah which is resisting the Israeli attack on Gaza after Hamas’ assault of October 7 last year has reportedly fired dozens of missiles on Northern Israel, reports said, adding that the motto is to deplete the Jewish nation’s much-touted Iron Dome interceptors. Sirens blared during the incident, triggered by both the rocket launches and the falling debris from interception attempts.
The Lebanese militant group has claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage on the Galilee Panhandle, as per Times of Israel. Hezbollah, in a statement, said that Katyusha rockets targeted IDF artillery positions. However, no casualties or injuries have been reported as of now.
(With inputs from agencies)