Of course, the war that has been shaking the Middle East since October 2023 is still far from a definitive end. While the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is taking place in dribs and drabs, the truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip remains in place. fragile. Begun on 19 January, its first phase is due to end on 1 January.er March, but this lull is not immune to jolts. And Donald Trump's shock statements on the future of the territory of Gaza are not likely to calm tempers.
However, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the reduction in rocket attacks on the Israeli-Lebanese border are reducing the risks for business travellers to Israel. These developments have led International SOS to send a team to Israel to reassess risks and, consequently, review the advice given to companies. Held from 26 January to 1er Last February, the mission visited several cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as Herzliya, Haifa, Ashdod and Ashkelon, and Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority.
Observation mission
As a result of these on-site observations, International SOS has lowered the level of evacuation previously recommended. The instructions given were to evacuate non-essential personnel because of the uncertain trajectory of the conflict, but also because of the very limited air services available, the recommendations are downgraded to "Stand-By".. The resumption of Air France and Transavia flights between Paris-CDG and Tel Aviv since the end of January may have had an influence on this change, with a gradual build-up towards a return to the usual daily frequency.
Similarly, the level of risk on Israel's borders has been revised downwards following this trip. The areas between Israel and Lebanon, which were rated as high risk last summer, have been downgraded to " moderate risks" . Nevertheless, even if the exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have been more limited since the end of last year, International SOS still recommends all travellers to postpone travel to areas within seven kilometres of borders Israel's relations with Lebanon, Gaza and Syria.
On the other hand, while International SOS called for all non-essential travel to Israel to be halted, and for those deemed essential to be accompanied by appropriate security measures, the safety and security specialist now considers that all travel can resume in the rest of the country. " With reinforced personal safety precautions" adds International SOS, which also points out that despite an improvement " supported" the security environment should remain "very fragile over the coming months" .
The Quai d'Orsay remains cautious
In view of the precarious regional security situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to advise French nationals against to travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, " except for imperative reasons" . In particular because of the risk of attacks, which remains very high, such as drone and missile strikes from Yemen on Israeli territory.
While the approaches to the Gaza Strip, the border with Lebanon and the Golan Heights logically remain " strictly not recommended "by the Quai d'Orsay, the security situation in the West Bank has also led the ministry to advise against going there and to invite the French people present to " exercise the utmost caution "By staying away from all demonstrations and gatherings. This recommendation also applies to Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City and the east of the city.
