October 11th 2023.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been escalating with both sides attacking each other and claiming multiple lives. Israeli forces have launched retaliatory strikes in over 200 locations across Gaza, killing 700 people and injuring 4,000 more. The death toll on both sides now stands at over 1,700, with over 187,500 people displaced from the Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called up 300,000 army reservists and signalled a ground assault against the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. He vowed to crush Hamas during a televised address and said Israel’s response would ‘reverberate with their enemies for generations’.
The news of the conflict has left many wondering about the safety of surrounding countries and whether they can travel to them. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Tourists have also been advised against travelling to Gaza, the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar, within 500m of the border with Lebanon east of Metula, and within 500m of the border with Syria.
The FCDO has additionally warned against travelling to Lebanon and urged Britons to avoid non-essential travel to the country. Travel to the Hermel Area south of the country, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboue, and Nahle, has also been advised against, as well as any Palestinian refugee camps within three miles of the border with Syria.
The FCDO has advised against all, or all but essential, travel to some parts of Egypt. This includes within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, North Sinai, the northern part of the Governorate of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, the eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings, The Governorate of Faiyum, Coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh, Marsa Matruh-Siwa Road, Siwa, The Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis, the road between Giza and Farafra, Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert.
However, the FCDO has not issued any advice against travelling to Turkey. President Recap Tayyip Erdogan spoke out against the conflict, calling on all parties in the region to contribute to peace and preserve the two-state solution perspective.
When it comes to getting a refund on trips, unless the Foreign Office advises you to cancel your holiday, or it is cancelled by your airline or tour operator, there is no guarantee you’ll get your money back if you choose not to travel. It is advised to check in with your travel provider over the status of your trip and see if they can offer you something, such as rescheduling the trip, or moving it to a different location.
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