Israel's NSC Raises Travel Warnings: Turkey Declared Greatest Threat to Citizens Amidst Ongoing Conflicts

 In the midst of ongoing conflicts and terrorist threats, Israel's National Security Council (NSC) has issued new warnings against citizens traveling to Arab countries, with Turkey being singled out as the greatest threat. The travel warning for Turkey has been raised to level 4, the highest threat level, and all Israelis currently in Turkey have been strongly urged to leave immediately. Those still in the country are advised to exercise caution, avoid public gatherings, refrain from overt displays of their Jewish or Israeli identity, and steer clear of local sites with Jewish or Israeli connections.

The NSC has also raised the travel warning for Morocco to level 2, advising Israelis in the country to exercise greater caution. Furthermore, the council has recommended avoiding non-essential travel to Arab countries in general and particularly to countries bordering Iran, including Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Azerbaijan. In response to the NSC's travel warnings, protests have erupted in Turkey following reports of a devastating explosion at a Gaza hospital, erroneously blaming an Israeli airstrike. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released intercepted Hamas communications confirming that the destruction was actually caused by a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

While the number of casualties reported by the Hamas-affiliated Gaza Health Ministry has not been independently confirmed, the NSC anticipates more demonstrations in Turkey. In light of the escalating tensions, Jordanians demonstrated against the ongoing Gaza war, attempting to storm the Israeli embassy in Amman. As a result, Jordan's King Abdullah canceled a summit scheduled to be held in Amman with US President Joe Biden, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It is important to note that Israelis are prohibited from traveling to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran, even if they hold additional citizenships and attempt to enter with a different passport.

The NSC's travel warnings aim to ensure the safety and security of Israeli citizens amidst the current regional turmoil. In related news, US President Joe Biden expressed his support for Israel's stance during his visit to the country, stating that based on the evidence, the explosion at the Gaza hospital was caused by militants. Palestinian officials had attributed the blast to an Israeli airstrike, while Israel attributed it to a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a claim denied by the group. As Mr. Biden arrived in Israel, hugging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rage spread throughout the region due to the hospital carnage.

Consequently, the regional summit scheduled in Amman, where Biden was slated to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was canceled. It is worth mentioning that before Tuesday's blast, health authorities in Gaza reported a death toll of at least 3,000 during Israel's 11-day bombardment, which was initiated in response to a Hamas rampage on southern Israeli communities, resulting in 1,300 deaths and around 200 individuals being taken hostage in Gaza. As tensions remain high, Israel's National Security Council's warnings serve as a reminder for Israeli citizens to exercise caution and prioritize their safety while traveling to Arab countries and regions prone to unrest.