The Russian government has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens to leave Israel immediately. This warning comes as tensions rise in the region, posing significant safety and security concerns. The directive underscores Russia's precautionary approach to safeguarding its nationals amid increasing regional instability.
Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, Russia has issued a strong recommendation for its citizens in Israel to evacuate "as soon as possible."
The Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv released a statement advising its citizens to "consider the possibility of leaving Israel," citing the "current situation in the region." The embassy also recommended those remaining in Israel to "exercise utmost caution."
Embassy Counselor Viktorov further emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "As for the current extreme aggravation, we reinforce this recommendation [not to visit Israel] and suggest that those citizens who are now in Israel even think about leaving this territory while there are such opportunities in the form of continued regular flights operated by a number of airlines, including the Israeli airline El Al."
He went on to advise, "Before coming to Israel or making a decision to stay for a long time [in the Jewish state], you need to think hard about how justified it is and whether it is worth risking your lives and health."
Viktorov noted that some airlines are still operating scheduled flights and encouraged Russian citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to leave Israel. This action underscores Russia's heightened concern over the safety of its nationals in the region and signals a potential escalation of the conflict.
Following a series of rocket attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups on Israeli territory, met with retaliatory airstrikes by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the situation has intensified significantly, sparking global concern and fears of a wider conflict. The Russian government's call for its citizens to leave Israel signals a heightened level of concern over the safety of its nationals in the region.
