After hundreds of its citizens were killed in a sudden assault from Gaza, Israel has declared war on Hamas.
Fighting is continuing within Israel, and the prime minister has pledged “mighty violence” and threatened to reduce Gaza to “rubble”.
Israel, long popular with tourists, is still accessible by air – but hundreds of flights have been cancelled and cruise ship itineraries have been changed.
Over the first 24 hours following the start of the attack, many flights were diverted or returned to their departure airport – including a United Airlines flight from San Francisco that went on a 13-hour “flight to nowhere”.
These are the key questions and answers.
What does the Foreign Office say?
Late on Sunday the Foreign Office strengthened its warning to read: “The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [OPTs].”
This has the effect of requiring holiday companies with clients in Israel to be brought back as soon as possible, and prevents mainstream tour operators from sending out further groups until the advice against travel is withdrawn.
The Foreign Office also says: “If you are a British national in Israel or the OPTs, please register your presence which includes recording your up-to-date contact information. Your registration will allow us to share any updates to this travel advice.”
Anyone who is in Israel continues to be protected by their travel insurance until they leave by the swiftest safe means; conversely, standard travel insurance policies are not valid for people who choose to travel to Israel while the “no-go” warning is in force.
Are Israel flights continuing?
Yes. Ben Gurion International Airport, south of Tel Aviv, remains open and operational – as does Eilat Ramon airport, outside Eilat in the far south of Israel.
These are the key policies of the main airlines from the UK to Israel.
British Airways
The usual daily BA167 service, departing just after 5pm from London Heathrow and arriving in Tel Aviv shortly before midnight, has been changed to a much earlier departure: scheduled to leave at 8.15am and arrive at 3.05pm. The inbound service, which is normally an early morning flight, is now timed to depart at 4.35pm and arrive back at Heathrow at 8.10pm. This allows the crew to return immediately rather than night-stopping in Israel.
Passengers…
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