More than a thousand people died and thousands more were injured after Hamas activists launched an unprecedented attack from Gaza towards Israel Saturday, Israeli authorities announced.
The Israel Defense Forces declared a “state of war alert,” the IDF said early Saturday morning.
As of Thursday, at least 1,200 people died and 2,900 others were injured in Israel, the Israeli Health Ministry said. In Gaza, 1,417 people – including 447 children and 248 women – have been killed since Israeli retaliatory airstrikes began, and around 6,268 others have been injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Level 3 travel advisory to Israel and the West Bank
The US State Department on Wednesday increased his travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank at Level 3, “reconsider travel,” due to “terrorism and civil unrest,” and it currently has a “do not travel” advisory for Gaza.
Are trips to Israel suspended?
The Federal Aviation Administration continues to urge U.S. airlines and pilots to “exercise caution” when flying in Israeli airspace.
The agency issued a NOTAM, or Air Mission Notice, to pilots on Saturday that said, in part, “potentially hazardous situation” and “operators are advised to exercise extreme caution.”
The FAA issued an updated NOTAM on Tuesday, stating: “Currently, there are no restrictions on U.S. certified aviators or operators operating to or from Israel. »
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) for Israel’s airspace on Sunday, recommending that air operators “ensure that a robust risk assessment is in place as well as a high level of contingency planning for their operations. and be prepared to receive short-term instructions from Israeli authorities. »
Which airlines have canceled flights?
Major US airlines
As of Thursday morning, all major U.S. airlines and a number of foreign carriers had suspended service to and from Israel. Many other airlines, including Israeli national carrier El Al, continue to operate flights.
American Airlines has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv until December 4. “We continue to monitor and will make additional adjustments as necessary,” the airline said in a statement to ABC News.
Delta Air Lines said it had suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until the end of October, saying: “Our thoughts are with those affected as our employees work to find safe alternatives for customers trying to exit TLV. »
United Airlines said its flights to and from Tel Aviv “will remain suspended until conditions permit their resumption.”
Air Canada has canceled a number of flights to and from Tel Aviv until Friday.
European airlines
Air France has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv “until further notice”.
British Airways also suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
KLM has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv “until further notice”.
Wizz Air has canceled all its flights to Israel until Friday. EasyJet also canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Friday.
Lufthansa has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until Saturday.
The ITA announced that it had canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Saturday.
Ryanair announced that it had canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Sunday.
Norwegian Air announced that it has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until Sunday.
Finnair announced that it has canceled its flights to and from Tel Aviv until Sunday.
TAP announced that it would suspend its flights to Tel Aviv, but did not provide a timeline for how long the suspension would last.
Middle East and Asia
Gulf Air announced that it had canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Saturday.
Emirates announced that it would suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 20. The airline also said that customers with connections to Tel Aviv will not be accepted for travel to their point of origin until further notice.
Cathay Pacific has canceled its flights between Hong Kong and Tel Aviv until October 29.
Turkish Airlines announced it would “temporarily” suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv “until further notice.”
Airlines continue to fly to and from Israel
Virgin Atlantic has canceled some flights to Israel but continues to operate some services between Tel Aviv and London’s Heathrow Airport.
El Al continues to fly to and from Tel Aviv, saying it “operates in accordance with instructions from Israeli security forces.”
flydubai said its flights to TLV are currently operating as planned and that it will “continue to monitor the situation closely and modify our schedule accordingly.”
Hainan Airlines will operate two direct round-trip flights between Shenzhen and Tel Aviv on Tuesdays and Fridays from October 12 to 31.
How to get out of Israel
The State Department will arrange charter flights for American citizens who are currently in Israel, the White House announced Thursday.
Details are still being worked out, but those citizens will be flown from Israel “to locations in Europe” starting Friday, the White House National Security Council spokesperson told reporters. John Kirby.
U.S. citizens in Israel “should follow local government guidance to increase their security awareness and stay safe,” the State Department said. said. Citizens who need assistance must complete the crisis intake form to contact the nearest American embassy or consulate
“US citizens who wish to depart and can do so safely are advised to check the status of border crossings or verify that flights have not been canceled before traveling to Ben Gurion Airport,” he said. indicated the department.
