The federal government has raised its travel advice level for Israel and told Australians to get out, with a warning that the situation could “quickly deteriorate”.
“We now advise do not travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,” the Smartraveller website said in updated advice on Tuesday.
“If you’re in Israel, you should leave while commercial flights remain available, border crossings are open and while it’s safe to do so.”
It comes as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would show no mercy with its military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“We will continue to mercilessly strike Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon, including Beirut,” Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
The world is also waiting to see how Israel plans to retaliate against Iran’s missile barrage two weeks ago.
Israel has expanded its targets in Lebanon to the north, killing at least 21 people in the latest airstrike, health officials said.
Millions of Israelis took shelter from projectiles fired back across the border.
If you’re in Israel, you should leave while commercial flights remain available, border crossings are open and while it’s safe to do so. Read and subscribe: https://t.co/yDNsiKy6wY (2/2) pic.twitter.com/E1Q9g3n8Uf
— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) October 14, 2024
As Israel faces attacks on numerous fronts, Smartraveller warned there was an “ongoing threat of missile and rocket attacks in Israel” and the situation could quickly deteriorate.
“Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time. Be alert to personal safety risks,” the latest advice states.
“There continues to be a high threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region.
“The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.
“This situation has and may continue to result in airspace closures, flight cancellations, diversions, and other travel disruptions.
“Some airlines have reduced and suspended flights to and from Ben Gurion International Airport.”
Conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resumed in October 2023 when the militant group began firing rockets at Israel in support of Palestinian militants Hamas at the start of the Gaza war.
It has escalated sharply in recent weeks.
Israeli strikes have killed at least 2309 people in Lebanon over the past year, the Lebanese government said in its daily update.
The majority have been killed since late September when Israel expanded its military campaign.
As Israel has pushed its forces through south Lebanon in an attempt to wipe out Hezbollah and its military infrastructure, tensions have increased between Israel and the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL.
The UN said Israeli tanks had burst into its base on Sunday.
Netanyahu on Monday rejected accusations that Israeli troops had deliberately harmed UNIFIL peacekeepers as “completely false” and repeated a call for them to withdraw from combat zones close to the border with Israel.
He said Hezbollah uses UNIFIL positions as cover for attacks that have killed Israelis, including on Sunday, when a drone attack on a military base killed four soldiers.
“Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah and will continue to do so,” Netanyahu said.
A UNIFIL spokesman on Monday said in a video posted on social media platform X the peacekeeping mission would stay.
“We are staying … we are in south of Lebanon under a Security Council mandate. So it’s important to keep an international presence and to keep the UN flag in the area,” Andrea Tenenti said.
Australian citizens or permanent residents in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories should register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s crisis registration portal.
Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the federal government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
Live News
