Israel
Warnings and insurance
This travel advice covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Gaza
FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza.
Areas near Gaza
FCDO advises against all travel to the area close to the border with 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 the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Northern Israel
FCDO advises against all travel:
- north of Acre, north of Route 85 to the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee and north of Route 87 in the Golan Heights
- the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar
- within 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’)
- The Israeli military has announced that the area within 5km of the border with Lebanon is a 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 rest of Israel and the OPTs.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Conflict with Lebanese Hizballah
There is an ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. There are continued exchanges of rocket, drone and small arms fire from Lebanese Hizballah over Israel’s northern border with 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 central Israel and central and northern 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 escalate further, and with little warning. You 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. Hamas continues 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 and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs, including the West Bank, and increased military activity by the Israeli Defence Forces in 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, including 7 October.
If you are in Israel and the OPTs
We 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 to check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice. 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 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 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.
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.
Travelling to Egypt from Gaza
The Rafah border crossing has been closed to all civilians due to Israeli military operations in the area since 6 May. When re-opened, it is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to determine who is permitted to cross, and when.
If you are a British national in Gaza who wants to leave Gaza, you should make contact with us as soon as possible. There are currently no exit routes available for foreign nationals to depart Gaza as a result of the military operations, but we are working with the Israeli, Egyptian and Jordanian authorities to explore alternatives.
If you are a UK visa holder who meets all of the following criteria, you can 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
Movement to the Rafah crossing and beyond is at your own risk, and dependent on the permission of the Egyptian and Israeli authorities. You should only travel if you judge it is safe to do so. Check the Egypt travel advice.
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. As a precautionary measure following escalation in the region, family members of British Embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn. Our staff members remain.
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.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.