Israel warns citizens about possible threats when travelling abroad amid Hamas conflict

Israel urged its citizens on Friday to reconsider trips abroad and to exercise extra caution if already out of the country, citing an increase of hostility toward Jews and Israelis over the present conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Life threatening assaults, antisemitism and incitement have been significantly rising in many countries, a joint statement from the prime minister's office and the foreign ministry said, since Israel launched its campaign in Gaza.

On Monday, Israel issued a "highest-level travel warning" for Russia's Dagestan region after hundreds of Dagestanis, mostly young men, rampaged through the terminal building of an airport and on to the tarmac hunting for Jewish people who had just flown in on a flight from Tel Aviv.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza from air ground and sea has sparked anti-Israel protests in Europe and the Middle East.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says at least 9,227 people have been killed since Israel started its offensive in retaliation for the Hamas rampage on Oct. 7 which killed 1,400 people in the deadliest day of Israel's 75-year history.

Less service to Tel Aviv from abroad

Amid the conflict, some major airlines have halted flights to Ben Gurion International Airport, located about 15 kilometres from Tel Aviv and the main airport in Israel.

This week, Delta Airlines, citing "ongoing conflict in the region," said it would cancel all flights between New York and Tel Aviv until at least Nov. 21. The U.S. air carrier has also cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv from Atlanta and Boston. 

American Airlines said last month that it was temporarily halting all flights to and from Tel Aviv until Dec. 4.

Air France, meanwhile, is suspending services to Tel Aviv "until further notice," according to information posted on its website. Lufthansa's website indicates the German airline will not be flying to the city for the rest of November. 

Ireland's Ryanair said last month that it was cancelling all flights to and from Tel Aviv between Oct. 16 and Dec. 14 "due to operational restrictions" beyond the airline's control.