Paris: France's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Israel and the Palestinian territories as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to rise. The ministry highlighted the growing regional security concerns and urged French nationals to refrain from traveling to these areas, even for purposes such as tourism and family visits.
According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry's statement emphasized the need for those currently in the region to exercise extreme caution. French nationals were advised to stay close to shelters and restrict their activities to only essential ones due to the escalating situation. The advisory also noted that flights to and from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport are currently suspended. The ministry suggested that those not wishing to stay in Israel during the closure of the airspace consider departing by land to neighboring countries such as Jordan or Egypt.
The warning extended to French citizens in Iran, advising them to seek safety beyond the Tehran area amidst intensifying bombings, particularly in the Tehran metropolitan region. The statement highlighted that Iranian airspace and Tehran's international airport remain closed without any indication of reopening, while land borders with Trkiye and Armenia are open. Additionally, citizens were reminded to avoid traveling at night for safety reasons.
This advisory comes in the wake of Israel's large-scale attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military command centers, which commenced on June 13. Iranian media reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and other populated areas has reached 585, with at least 1,326 injured. In retaliation, Iran's military launched ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in 24 deaths and over 500 injuries, according to reports.