UK

Flights organised to get British nationals out of Israel

Flights organised to get British nationals out of Israel

The government has organised flights to get British nationals out of Israel, the Foreign Office has said.

The first flight is set to leave Tel Aviv later on Thursday, it added.

Airlines and governments are scrambling to evacuate thousands from Israel ahead of a possible ground assault on Gaza.

Evacuation efforts come as the combined number of deaths reported by both sides reached more than 2,000 people, following the weekend attacks by a militant faction of Palestinian political group Hamas and retaliatory strikes by Israeli forces.

It’s also left about 340,000 people displaced, according to the UN.

“Vulnerable British nationals will be prioritised for these flights, the Foreign Office said.

“At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for the flights directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are called.”

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It added: “The safety of all British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice.

“Those in Israel and the OPTs, including Gaza, are advised to register their presence with the Foreign Office [FCDO].

“The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to advise against all but essential travel to all other parts.”

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