Were you planning a trip to Israel in the coming days or weeks? You will most likely have to cancel it or, at least, reschedule it. At noon on Monday, October 9, clashes continued to rage around the Gaza Strip between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces, while 700 dead and more than 2300,560 wounded had already been counted on the Israeli side. So far, <> Palestinians have died, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, since Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning. At least two French nationals were killed in the attacks, according to the Quai d'Orsay.
To discover
- Tailor-made trips: discover our partners' offers
All travel is not recommended
French people wishing to go there must postpone their trip. On its page dedicated to the country, France Diplomatie, the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, recalls that the situation is "likely to deteriorate" further. And advises against "going to Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories." The same is true of the Union of Tour-Operating Companies (Seto), which recommends not to travel to Israel until October 13. On site, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has set up a "virtual office", reachable via WhaysApp (+972-55-972-6931) or e-mail (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and aimed at informing travelers.
Read alsoPlane, hotel, stay... Who do I contact if my trip goes wrong?
What about flights to Israel?
The Israeli airline ELAL, has not (for the moment) changed its flight schedule. Ronen Zvulun / REUTERS
France Diplomatie recalls that David Ben-Gurion International Airport is still open. However, it is recommended that you check the status of your flight before going to the airport, as many flights have been cancelled.
Air France has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on October 8, 9 and 10. And adapted the commercial measures in place, to allow customers to postpone or cancel their trip free of charge. So, if your Air France flight to Tel Aviv is scheduled between October 7 and 15, there are several choices available to you. You can postpone your trip, free of charge, until October 29. Another solution: cancel your trip against a non-refundable credit valid for a whole year on Air France and KLM flights. You can change your ticket on the Air France website or by contacting a point of sale. Finally, if your flight has been cancelled by Air France, you can get a refund at a point of sale or via the website.
Transavia has also suspended flights between France and Tel Aviv from October 7 to 11. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM group, says passengers in possession of a ticket for a trip scheduled between October 7 and 15 to Israel can postpone it, free of charge, until October 29. They can also request a voucher corresponding to the price of the original ticket. On X (formerly Twitter), the company says it is monitoring "in real time the evolution of the situation in Israel" and "reiterates that the safety of its customers and crews is its top priority.
»ELAL, which operates under the instructions of the Israeli security forces and is in direct and permanent contact with them, has not changed its flight schedule. The Israeli airline clarifies that its customers who have already started their journey and wish to bring forward their return until Friday, October 13, 2023 (inclusive) can do so without having to pay the "rebooking" fee and/or the fare difference, if any, for the same cabin. Passengers who have not yet started their journey, and whose departure date is on/before 13 October 2023, can change or freeze their tickets. No 'rebooking' is due unless they wish to travel on/before Friday 13th October 2023. The ticket can also be replaced with a voucher at no extra cost.
Other airlines have also cancelled flights to Israel. This is notably the case of the low-cost easyJet and the Greek Aegean Airlines, which are suspending their flights until 10 October. On 7 and 8 October, ITA Airways, LOT and Swiss also suspended their flights. On the other hand, other airlines, such as American Airlines, maintain their flights from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport.
Read alsoPolitical crisis, natural disaster... What to do in the event of a serious crisis during a trip
On site, avoid all travel
The Consulate of France advises to download the official application of the Home Front Command on your mobile phone. JACK GUEZ / AFP
If you are already there, France Diplomatie recommends increased vigilance and follow the instructions of local authorities. "If you are in the immediate vicinity of the Gaza Strip, you should avoid travel and stay at home." Advice supported by the Consulate General of France in Tel Aviv: "The immediate surroundings of the Gaza Strip are formally discouraged," it recalls on its website, as well as the border areas with Lebanon and Syria. In a press release, the Quai d'Orsay also recalled that a crisis unit was opened at the beginning of the attacks to "assist the French community and French people passing through".
"The teams of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, our embassy in Tel Aviv and our consulates general in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are fully mobilized to seek to clarify the situation of several nationals who could not be located, in constant contact with their families and in contact with the Israeli authorities. So, sign up for the breadcrumb trail if you haven't done so before your stay. This will introduce you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Consulate also advises you to download the official Home Front Command app on your mobile phone, which will alert you in real time about ongoing attacks based on your geolocation. Also, identify the shelters closest to where you live. In the event of an alert, note that lists of shelters by city are listed. If an alarm sounds or you hear an explosion, join one quickly. Otherwise, take refuge in a bomb shelter or in a secure room after closing all the doors and windows of your home. If you're outside when the alarm sounds, go to the first building you find. If there are none around, lie down on the ground with your hands on your head. Unless otherwise instructed, it is possible to leave the place where you have taken refuge after ten minutes.
The Consulate provides several practical sheets on what to do in the event of an attack or missile launch on its website. Check them out if you're there. Finally, for all intents and purposes, here are the local emergency numbers: 100 for the police and 101 for emergency medical assistance.