Doha - Several countries have issued travel warnings for their citizens, advising against non-essential travel to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, and in some cases the wider region amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
The warnings come as Iran has threatened reprisals against Israel for a deadly April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two senior Quds Force figures.
France warned its citizens against traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories on Friday. It stated that relatives of France-based Iranian diplomats will return home, and banned French civil servants from travel to those areas.
The United Kingdom advised against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestinian territories, citing the "possibility of an attack on Israeli territory from Iran." It also warned against all travel to northern Israel, Gaza, areas near Gaza, and parts of the occupied West Bank.
Russia "strongly recommended" its citizens avoid the region entirely, highlighting risks in Israel, Lebanon and Palestinian territories. Poland and India also advised their nationals to avoid travel to Israel, Palestinian areas and Lebanon.
Germany warned its citizens to leave Iran, stating escalating regional tensions could affect exit routes and risk arbitrary detentions of dual Iranian-German nationals.
The United States restricted personal travel for employees and families outside greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba areas, with officials describing an imminent Iranian attack on Israel as a "real" and "viable" threat.
Israel has increased military preparedness, calling up reservists and bolstering air defenses amid concerns over potential Iranian retaliation. Tensions have risen sharply following the Syrian strike and amid wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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