Israel Suspends All Flights Amid Security Escalation; Land Borders Remain Open for Tourists

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

In light of heightened regional tensions and recent escalations involving Iran, the Government of Israel has announced the immediate suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights as a security precaution. The move aims to ensure the safety of both residents and approximately 38,000 tourists currently in the country.

While airspace remains closed until further notice, land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt are operational, providing tourists with alternative exit routes. The Israel Ministry of Tourism has urged all foreign travelers to coordinate closely with their embassies and transportation providers.

The currently open land border crossings include:

• Allenby Bridge (to Jordan) – Open 08:00 to 17:00 (entry allowed till 14:00); visa required in advance.
• Jordan River Crossing (near Bet Shean to Jordan) – Open 08:30 to 18:00 (entry till 16:30); visa on arrival available.
• Menachem Begin Crossing (to Egypt/Sinai) – Open 24/7 with no changes in operation.
• Yitzhak Rabin Crossing (near Eilat to Jordan) – Open 08:00 to 20:00; visa on arrival available.

Travelers are advised to check real-time updates via the official Israel Airports Authority portal: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/

To assist stranded tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has activated a 24/7 Virtual Tourist Office offering multilingual support through:

• Email: virtual@goisrael.gov.il
• WhatsApp: +972-53-583-5808
• Facebook: Israel Virtual Tourist Office

Additionally, under the guidance of Tourism Minister Haim Katz, a digital evacuation registration form has been launched to facilitate outbound flight arrangements. Tourists can fill out the form via this official link:
👉 https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/TouristEvacuationFromIsrael@tourism.gov.il?displang=en

The Ministry confirmed that collected information will be shared only with authorized entities, adhering to privacy norms. Efforts are also underway to coordinate with hotels and local partners to identify and assist affected visitors.

“We understand the uncertainty this situation brings and are committed to doing everything possible to support tourists during this time,” said Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing – India, Israel Ministry of Tourism.

Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.