Following rocket attacks by Hamas militants from Gaza into Israel on Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement early Saturday morning: to declare a ‘state of readiness for conflict’.
Has travel to Israel been suspended?
Travel to Israel has not been suspended, but is currently very limited. Most airlines are canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv airport.
However, airport authorities have not stopped commercial air connections to Eilat, Israel’s second international airport and tourist destination on the Red Sea.
On Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), warning US airlines and pilots to exercise caution when operating in Israeli airspace. The advisory highlights a “potentially dangerous situation” and strongly advises operators to exercise extreme caution.
Major airlines are canceling flights
United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have jointly stated that they are temporarily suspending flights to and from the international airport near Tel Aviv.
“Future operations at TLV will be suspended until conditions permit them to resume,” United said CBS News.
“We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security as our top priority and will adjust our operations as necessary,” American Airlines said.
Delta Air Lines stated that it is “working to safely return Delta people to the U.S. and will work with the U.S. government as necessary to assist in the repatriation of U.S. citizens who wish to return home.”
This also included canceling flights Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Ryanair and Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, Brussels Airline, Air France, Transavia, Iberia Express, ITA Airways.
Travel advisory from the US Department of State
The US State Department is recommending increased vigilance for American citizens traveling to Israel or the West Bank due to concerns about “terrorism and civil unrest.” The ‘do not travel’ advice is in force for Gaza.
In a recent one update On Sunday, the department emphasized the continued unpredictability of the situation, with the possibility of mortar and rocket attacks occurring suddenly and without notice.
