Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Gaza

FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza.

Areas near Gaza

• FCDO advises against all travel withinto 500mthe ofarea close to the border with Gaza.Gaza that includes:

  • south-west 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

  The West Bank

  • FCDO advises against all travel to Tulkuramthe Governorate,West JeninBank, Governorate,excluding East Jerusalem and TubasRoute Governorate1 exceptbetween RouteJerusalem 90.

  • and Tel Aviv.

    Northern Israel

    FCDO advises against all buttravel:

    • north essentialof travelAcre, north of Route 85 to the restnorthern tip of the WestSea Bank,of exceptGalilee for,and Bethlehemnorth Governorate,of JerusalemRoute Governorate,87 Ramallahin Municipalitythe and,Golan JerichoHeights
    • the MunicipalitySheba’a (includingFarms theand areasGhajjar
    • within south500m andof westthe towardsborder Jerusalemwith Governate).

    NorthernSyria Israel

    (the ‘Alpha Line’)

    • FCDOThe advisesIsraeli againstmilitary allhas travelannounced that the area within 500m5km of the border with SyriaLebanon (theis ‘Alphaa Line’).

      closed military zone and entry is prohibited. 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

    The rest of Israel and the OPTs

    FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the arearest betweenof theIsrael Lebanon border and (butthe not including) Route 89 excluding Nahriyyah.OPTs.

  Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

  Conflict with Lebanese Hizballah

  FollowingThere theis recentan ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. There are continued exchanges of rocket, drone and small arms fire from Lebanese Hizballah (LH),over aIsrael’s ceasefirenorthern wasborder agreedwith Lebanon. Tensions are currently heightened following Israeli strikes in Beirut since 20 September.  

  Cross-border attacks have increased since 21 September in northern Israel, including in Haifa, the Jezreel Valley, Krayot and other areas in the Galilee, including the lower Galilee. Since 25 September, rockets have also been fired on 27central November,Israel withand acentral 60-dayand implementationnorthern period.West Bank. Whilst rocket fire has increased, strikes have largely been intercepted and there has not been significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

  On 1 October, Iran launched over 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The interception of missiles over Israel may result in falling fragments or debris. If you encounter any projectile debris or fragments you should move away from them immediately and contact local authorities. On 26 October, Israel carried out military strikes against Iran.

  There remains a risk that these hostilities could reignite,escalate further, and with little warning. CheckYou should check Home Front Command for the latest guidance. Restrictions may be put in place at short notice.

  Conflict in Israel and the OPTs

  On 7 October 2023 there was a large-scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. TheHamas frequencycontinues to launch rockets into Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces are conducting significant military activity in Gaza. There is an ongoing risk of rocket attacks hasand significantlyother decreasedincidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs, including the West Bank, and increased military activity by the Israeli Defence Forces in Israel. Gaza and the West Bank. Militia groups in Iraq and Yemen have also fired missiles and drones at Israel which have impacted different areas, including Eilat.  

  There is an increased risk of political tension which can cause demonstrations and clashes around anniversaries and significant events.events, including 7 October.

  If you are in Israel and the OPTs

  IfWe recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has the potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning, and could result in instructions to shelter in place. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. We strongly encourage you areto check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs, keepis upnot essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to datedo throughso.

  If localyou mediaare andin 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 countrycountry. on 7 October and this remains in place. International borders (air and land) in Israel and the OPTs could close at short notice. Check with border officials before you travel for the latest information. Check the travel advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.

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

  Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on XTwitter, 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.

  Travel within or out of Israel or the OPTs is at your own risk.risk. You You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter.

  Leaving Gaza

  Border crossings out of Gaza have been closed to civilians and general traffic since the Israeli military took control of the Rafah crossing on 6 May 2024.

  Consular support is not available from within Gaza. If you are a British national in Gaza who wants to leaveleave, Gaza, you should make contact with us as soon as possible. There are currently no exit routes available for foreign nationals to depart Gaza independently. We are working with the Israeli, Palestinian and other authorities in the region to try to help British nationals leaveand viaother safeeligible routes.people leave.

  If you are a UK visa holder who meets all of the following criteria, you can contact us to request support to leave Gaza if:Gaza:

  • you have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK

    UK; and

  • you hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months

  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

  Consular support is severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

  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 020 7008 5000. 

  Before you travel

  No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:

  • women travellers
  • disabled travellers
  • LGBT+ travellers
  • solo and independent travel
  • volunteering and adventure travel

  Travel insurance

  If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

  About FCDO travel advice 

  FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

  Get

  Follow traveland advicecontact updates

  SignFCDO uptravel to geton emailTwitter, notificationsFacebook when thisand travelInstagram. adviceYou iscan updated. 

  Followalso andsign contactup FCDO:   

  • travelto adviceget onemail Xnotifications
  • travel advicewhen onthis Facebook
  • Traveladvice Awareis on Instagram
  updated.