UK prepares flight from Israel for British nationals

The UK government is organising a chartered flight next week for British nationals who want to leave Israel.

Britons are being asked to register interest in the flight via online forms but have been told not to travel to the airport unless told to do so.

Over the past week the government has been working with Israeli authorities on plans to arrange flights out of the country and Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The latest announcement comes after the US launched strikes at nuclear facilities in Iran overnight amid an escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Israeli airspace was closed on 13 June after it launched its operation against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes.

The FCDO said further flights would be considered depending both on demand and the latest security situation.

It added the volatility of the situation meant the ability to run flights "could change at short notice".

British nationals and non-British immediate family members travelling with them are eligible for a seat, but places on the flight from Tel Aviv will be allocated according to need.

On X, the FCDO said the flight would be for "vulnerable British nationals and their dependents".

Passengers will need the necessary travel documents and visas.

A spokesperson said: "The safety of British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost priority – thats why the UK government is preparing flights to help those wanting to leave."

On June 15, the FCDO changed its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, having previously told Britons to avoid "all travel to parts of Israel".

This followed an escalation in military activity in the region after Israel launched attacks on Iranian military infrastructure and nuclear sites.

The US said it launched strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday night.

While the UK said it did not participate, government minister Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC they had been informed in advance about the plan.

Other countries have been organising their own evacuation plans for their citizens.

India said on Thursday it planned to evacuate all Indian nationals who wished to leave, firstly by land and then air, while the US ambassador to Israel said on Saturday that America had begun assisted departure flights.

The Chinese ambassador to Israel said in a media interview around 400 of Chinas citizens had been evacuated as of Saturday, including students. The country has also been evacuating from Iran.

Austrias foreign ministry said in its latest statement around 120 people, including citizens of partner countries, have been evacuated from Iran and Israel.

Israel said it would temporarily reopen its airspace for six hours on Sunday in a bid to repatriate citizens who are stranded abroad under its Operation Safe Return" scheme.

It said Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv would be open for landings from 14:00 to 20:00 local time (10:00 BST to 18:00 BST).