The civil war in Ethiopia is intensifying and continuing to claim victims, while the provocative rebels are advancing towards the capital Addis Ababa.
Following the situation, the Foreign Ministry announced the evacuation of the families of the Israeli diplomatic staff from the country, and today (Monday) the rescue operation was completed, when all the couple and children arrived in Israel safely.
The delegates themselves remained in Addis Ababa and continued work.
Japhet Elmo on the situation in Ethiopia: "The reports are unfounded"
The civil war in Ethiopia took an extreme turn when the rebel forces of the Tigray Liberation Front managed to occupy two key towns on the main road to the capital Addis Ababa, as forces of the Ethiopian National Army withdrew.
Along with the reports of the rebels' progress, there were reports of massacres perpetrated by the rebels on civilians in the country.
An aerial bombardment on a main road in Ethiopia,
An activist in the Beta Israel community, Yefet Elmo, who has toured Ethiopia in recent weeks, claims that the reports of the rebels' progress towards Addis Ababa are unfounded.
In an exclusive conversation with Israel Today, he said: "The reports in the Western media are lie upon lie."
Elmo has been in Ethiopia since October 21, and during tours with a friend in Gondar and other cities around the country, he reported that the situation is quiet throughout the country.
Speaking from Addis Ababa, Elmo said: "Western media reports have said that Addis Ababa will be occupied in a moment, but I am here and nothing is happening. Even schools and universities are open.
Elmo immigrated to Israel 40 years ago and works as a nurse at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem.
He stressed that he was not politically active on either side.
"Israeli citizens and Ethiopians need to know the truth. Coverage in the West is based on a lie."
Elmo also toured northern Shawa, an area inhabited by people who define themselves as Beta Israel as well as districts that are close to Tigras and border the Tigra district such as Debark, Adrakai Dovat as well as Addis and its surroundings.
