The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel to the following locations:

• Gaza
• the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
• within 5km of the border with Lebanon. The Israeli military has announced that the area is a closed military zone and entry into the area is prohibited
• the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar
• within 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’)
• the area close to the border with Gaza that includes:
  • southwest of Ashkelon
  • south of route 35 and west of route 40 as far as Tlalim, not including Be’er Sheva
  • west of Be’er Sheva
  • north of route 211
• recently evacuated communities in northern Israel:
  • Beit Hillel  
  • Dan 
  • Eilon  
  • Even Menachem 
  • Goren 
  • Granot Ha’Galil 
  • HaGoshrim 
  • Liman 
  • Matsuva 
  • Ramot Naftali  
  • Sasa 
  • She’ar Yeshuv 
  • Snir 
  • Tzivon

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

Register your presence

If you are a British National in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, you are advised to to register your presence with with the the FCDO. We can then share important updates, including information to support you to leave the country. Fill in the form for every member of your family or group who is a British national.

Conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

There was a large scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel.

There have also been Israeli air strikes into Gaza. The Israeli military announced on 13 October that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.

As of 27 October, Israeli Defence Forces have significantly expanded operations.

You should be aware of a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs, including the West Bank, and Eilat and the Red Sea area. We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs is not essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

If you are in an area affected by the fighting, follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:

• visit the Israeli Home Front Command website (available in Israel only)
• call 104 if you are in Israel

The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency across the whole country. International borders (air and land) in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice. You should check our Travel Advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.

Before travelling within Israel/OPTs you should check the local measures in place, that roads are open and, where appropriate, that scheduled train and bus services are operating before you travel.

Due to the security situation, some family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn. The Embassy and Consulate continue with essential work including services to British nationals.

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

Assisted departure

The booking portal for HMG assisted flights from Ben Gurion Airport has now closed.  Commercial International flights continue to operate from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Ramon Airport in Eilat but are limited and may be cancelled at short notice.

Travel within or out of Israel or the OPTs is at your own risk.  You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter, and monitor this Travel Advice, which is regularly updated. Register your presence to receive important updates, including information on support to leave the country.

Travelling to Egypt from Gaza 

The Rafah border crossing partially opened on 1 November. This is primarily to facilitate the evacuation of seriously wounded Palestinians and some foreign nationals. We understand that the crossing will continue to be open for controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals, including British nationals, to cross. It is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to determine who is permitted to cross, and when. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contact Embassies to let them know when their foreign nationals can cross. Should we receive notification from the Israeli and Egyptian authorities that individuals are permitted to cross, we will notify those people individually.

Any remaining British Nationals in Gaza who want to leave Gaza should make contact with us as soon as possible.

In addition, UK visa holders who meet all of the following criteria can also contact us to request support to leave Gaza:

• you have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK; and
• you hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months.

If you meet all of the criteria, and want to leave Gaza, you can contact the FCDO by calling:

+44 176 766 7600 (UK number)

+972 (0)3 725 1222

+972 (0)2 541 4100

It is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to determine who is permitted to cross, and when. 

Movement to the Rafah crossing and beyond is at your own risk. You should only travel if you judge it is safe to do so. Check the the Egypt travel advice.. If you are a British National, you should Register your presence to receive important updates, including information on support to leave the country.

Help and support in Israel and the OPTs

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Help from FCDO in Israel and the OPTs

If you need consular assistance call:

• +44 176 766 7600 (UK number)
• +972 (0)3 725 1222
• +972 (0)2 541 4100

Help from other organisations  

Keep up to date with local travel advice through local news outlets and international outlets like the Access Coordination Unit.

Concern for friends and family

If you are in the UK and concerned about a friend or family member who is in Israel or the OPTs call FCDO on 0176 766 7600.

About FCDO travel advice  

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.