Moscow urges citizens to leave Israel

04.10.2024 08:24

Photo: Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu / Getty Images

The Russian ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, has urged Russian citizens to leave the Jewish state in view of the increasing tensions in the region. The appeal came after Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel in response to the intensification of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

Speaking to the TASS news agency on Thursday, Viktorov expressed concerns about the “heightened escalation” in the Middle East.

“We are advising those who are currently in Israel to think about leaving while there are still regular flights” from the country, including Israeli national carrier El Al, the diplomat told the TASS news agency.

Viktorov urged Russian nationals to consider “risks to their lives and health” before making decisions about traveling to Israel. “The situation in Israel and the neighboring countries is highly intense,” he stressed.

Multiple Russian airlines canceled flights over Israel, Iran and Iraq earlier this week in accordance with recommendations from Russia’s civil aviation agency. Iran’s missile barrage prompted a Doha-bound plane carrying a Russian deputy prime minister to turn around mid-flight and return to Russia on Wednesday.

Moscow advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Israel shortly after the war between the Jewish state and Hamas broke out in October 2023.