Due to the recent attacks carried out by the Hamas on Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Estonia strongly discourages non-essential travel to Israel.
In a statement issued on October 10, it also revealed that the Foreign Ministry has been in contact with 60 Estonian citizens in Israel, with 17 of them successfully having left the country.
According to information available to the Foreign Ministry, there is no need for evacuation now; Israeli air space is open, and air traffic is operating despite some delays. We are in touch with all citizens who have contacted us.
The Ministry further urges its citizens to adhere to the instructions of local authorities in neighbouring countries, as developments in Israel may affect travel throughout the region. In addition, the same reiterates its advice against non-essential travel to Lebanon.
Besides Estonia, Norway advises its citizens to refrain from travelling to Israel and Palestine, too, following the most recent developments in the region.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that citizens should avoid travelling to Southern Israel, Gaza, and regions within the occupied West Bank that are currently experiencing increased violence.
Even the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel advice for the affected region, recommending against travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
In the wake of the attacks, numerous airlines operating to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, either cancelled or reduced their flights in response to security concerns arising from the October 7 attacks launched by Gaza’s militant rulers, Hamas, towards Israel.
During the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas executed a coordinated multi-pronged attack that included firing thousands of rockets and penetrating Israel’s fortified border by air, land, and sea, catching Israel by surprise.
The day after the attack, Sunday, October 8, approximately half of the scheduled flights did not operate, and a third of them remained cancelled as of Monday, October 9.
Moreover, flights destined initially for Tel Aviv, Israel, were diverted to Larnaca airport in Cyprus. This included airlines such as Ryanair and a United Airlines Boeing 777 originating in San Francisco.
At the same time, other airlines, such as Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Air India, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Air Canada, Emirates, and Air France, also decided to cancel or reduce flights in Tel Aviv International Airport, Ben Gurion Airport.
