Israel's El Al cancels flights to and from Europe
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
32 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
US to impose further sanctions on Russia despite ‘highly productive' talks with Putin
US President Donald Trump claims the meeting between Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin was 'highly productive'. The clock is ticking for Moscow to enter a ceasefire deal with Ukraine after the American leader brought forward the deadline. President Trump posted on his Truth Social: 'My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made. 'Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. However, while the talks were described as 'positive' by the Kremlin, the White House has announced further sanctions will be imposed on Russia this week.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Treasurer Chalmers backs new stock exchange as ASX faces fresh competition
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. The White House announced Wednesday that it is imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, bringing the total levies against the major United States trading partner to 50 per cent. 'I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,' President Donald Trump said in an executive order. 'Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent,' the executive order reads. The new tariffs are set to go into effect in 21 days, according to the order, while the previously announced 25 per cent tariffs are set to take effect on Thursday. Read the full story. A helicopter crash in Ghana, has killed eight people including the West African nation's defence and environment ministers, the government says. The military says the helicopter took off on Wednesday morning from the capital, Accra, toward Obuasi, a gold-mining area in the Ashanti region, but went off the radar. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were killed alongside the vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress ruling party, a top national security adviser and crew members. Ghana's government described the crash as a 'national tragedy'. Read the full story. A man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum has been indicted on federal hate crimes charges. The indictment, filed in federal court in Washington, charges Elias Rodriguez with nine counts, including a hate crime resulting in death. The indictment also includes notice of special findings, which would allow the Justice Department to potentially pursue the death penalty. It accuses him of carrying out a hate crime resulting in death motivated by the 'actual and perceived national origin of any person'. Rodriguez also faces charges of first-degree murder and murder of a foreign official. Elias Rodriguez, 31, is accused of gunning down Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, as they left an event at the museum in May. Read more. Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has urged caution regarding Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's plan to enshrine the right to work from home into law, advising that the government should 'get their constitutional advice spot on' before proceeding further. The proposal has drawn criticism from legal experts and academics, who argue it presents significant constitutional challenges and would be difficult to enforce. Meanwhile, business groups warn the law could encourage companies to relocate to other states. This debate follows the federal Coalition's unsuccessful attempt to limit remote working during the recent election campaign, a move that was abandoned amid widespread public opposition. Though Mr Bragg conceded the Coalition's handling of remote work issues had been 'not well handled,' he stressed the importance of ensuring any legislation is legally sound. 'My view is that work from home is very good, I do it myself and it should be facilitated,' Mr Bragg told ABC Radio National. 'The Victorian government needs to get their right constitutional advice in order, and they need to make sure that whatever they're proposing to legislate, that would actually work … we're very happy to facilitate it, but that's really a matter for the Victorians and their constitutional advice.' Australia's $3 trillion stock exchange looks set for a new competitor as the corporate watchdog readies to approve a bid by Cboe to expand operations Down Under. Cboe Global Markets — which owns the Chicago Board Options Exchange — wants to launch a new platform for local companies to list their shares in direct competition with the Australian Securities Exchange. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission revealed on Wednesday that it was in the final stages of considering the plan, which would give businesses a new place to raise cash. Treasurer Jim Chalmers talked up the benefits of the plan after talks with regulators and big investors on Wednesday. 'Making our markets more competitive will make our economy more prosperous and productive,' he said. Read the full story. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has urged the introduction of new regulations to protect songwriters and creative artists from the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. This follows an interim report by the Productivity Commission which suggested that current Australian copyright laws may act as a 'barrier to building and training AI models.' The report claimed that existing regulations 'does not adequately facilitate the use of copyrighted works,' drawing criticism from arts bodies who are concerned this will take away the last existing protections artists have. 'I have concerns about artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity, and rather than adopting it, holus bolus and rolling it out en masse across our country, we do need to understand the risks,' Ms McKenzie told Nine on Thursday morning. 'Particularly to our songwriters, our creative artists, to make sure that they're not bearing the cost. We need to protect our artists, and that means putting some regulation in place,' she said.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
The ABC is granted access to a Kerem Shalam aid site Israel says it is using to feed Gaza
Through one gate and over a dirt road, an opening in the massive fence line appeared. A couple of Israeli soldiers manned the barricade, with a water cooler perched behind them on a concrete block. As the convoy passed beyond the security, something of a no-man's-land emerged ahead of another 18-foot fence. This was the first couple of metres inside Gaza — the part of the war-ravaged strip Israel wants the world to see, far away from the utter devastation of what were sprawling towns and cities 22 months ago. Among the mounds of dirt and rubbish, with the occasional stray dog roaming around, a few dozen large trucks appeared in the distance. Some had bullet holes in the windscreen, evidence of the chaos further inside the strip. Many were still fully laden with pallets bearing the flags of donors — Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the European Union. Driving along the dirt road, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Command SUVs kicked up dust. At first, it was brown and beige. Occasionally, it turned white as the vehicles drove over piles of flour spilt from sacks that had fallen off the trucks. The road had clearly been churned up from heavy traffic. But it smoothed out as the convoy, which included social media influencers, approached a large fenced-off clearing. That area was the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Despite repeated requests, it was the first time the ABC had gained access to Gaza with the IDF since the start of the war — opportunities semi-regularly offered to other international media outlets, particularly from the US. There is no denying that such "embeds", as they are called, are highly choreographed and controlled. But the trip was also an opportunity to gain access to a site Israel is using to prosecute its case it is trying to feed the population of Gaza — an argument the humanitarian community, and world leaders, argue is full of holes. Israel has not allowed international media to independently enter Gaza since the start of the war, and has repeatedly rejected calls to allow access to the strip, arguing it is too dangerous for journalists to operate. The Foreign Press Association (FPA), which represents international media operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is challenging the restrictions in Israel's Supreme Court. Inside the aid depot, the booms of shelling could be heard in the distance. Over the next fence line were the ruins of what was once the city of Rafah — an area totally controlled by the IDF, which had razed it to the ground, with satellite imagery confirming significant earthworks in the area. The aid depot was quite full. Rows and rows of pallets were lined up with everything from tinned tomatoes and beans, to toilet paper and toothpaste. Large bottles of sunflower oil were resting on the ground alongside sacks of flour. Some of the packaging was falling apart, evidence the supplies had been lying there for quite a while. In some corners, there was an odour signifying food had spoiled in the hot summer sun. Israel is using the scenes at Kerem Shalom to push its argument it is letting aid into the strip, but that the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies have not followed through on their part of the deal. One IDF staffer said the military viewed the depot as something of an airline check-in desk. Pallets of food, like suitcases, were brought in and registered, then it was up to baggage handlers to get them to their destination. Israel believes its responsibility for the aid ends the moment it "checks in" the supplies. But the humanitarian community has consistently poured criticism on that, saying it is an example of Israel avoiding its obligations, and that it has been too difficult and too dangerous to make those deliveries. In the week leading up to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to partially ease aid restrictions and allow for so-called "secure corridors" to be established in Gaza, the World Food Programme (WFP) detailed the delays. WFP made 138 requests to Israeli authorities to travel to Kerem Shalom and the northern aid depot near the Zikim crossing, but only 76 of those requests were approved. When the green light was given, WFP said it took up to 46 hours for some of those convoys to make the journey — a long time, considering Gaza is less than 50 kilometres north to south. Israel is right to state that more aid is entering the strip daily, since the partial easing of restrictions in late July. On Tuesday, 300 trucks entered Gaza and another 300 truckloads were picked up for distribution inside the strip. But it is still far fewer trucks making it across the border compared to the figures before October 2023, when the war began. Humanitarian agencies say the situation is so dire across Gaza, after months of Israel's total humanitarian blockade and its decision to cut the UN out of the distribution model, that the current rate of deliveries is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. The convoys that are making it through the strip are often swarmed by desperate Palestinians. Local medics said more than 20 were killed in one such incident on Wednesday, while there were another five deaths from starvation. Palestinian health authorities said the death toll from hunger was rapidly approaching 200. The ABC joined the "embed" along with an Israeli media outlet, an Israeli writer and a handful of social media influencers. Israel is accusing the international media of swallowing Hamas propaganda and failing to put the message of places like Kerem Shalom out to the world, and is now employing alternative means of spreading that word. As images of starving Gazan children started dominating headlines across the world, a flurry of social media posts, telling a very different story, also started appearing online. The posts were all filmed inside Gaza — an area that cannot be accessed without the approval of the Israeli military — and showed stockpiles of food and aid waiting to be delivered inside the strip. Each of the posts contained a consistent message defending Israel, taking aim at the United Nations and blaming the group for manufacturing a hunger crisis in Gaza. "United Nations is supposed to deliver this food to the Palestinians in Gaza. But they're not doing that. What they do is blaming Israel of starving the Gaza population," one post from an influencer said. The people posting these updates were not internationally accredited journalists, who, for nearly two years, have been repeatedly denied requests to independently access Gaza to document the war. Instead, the rare trip inside the strip included several pro-Israeli influencers, who in turn delivered coverage that aligned with Israeli military messaging. "The humanitarian aid is sitting in the sun waiting for the UN and international organisations to come and pick it up," the Israeli military posted in a video shot in the same location. The influencer posts had no response from the United Nations, which has repeatedly said its attempts to access the aid being held at border crossings have been impeded and sometimes blocked by Israel, and that Israel has failed to provide secure routes for aid distribution. Several media outlets, including AP and the Wall Street Journal, also visited the site and reported the UN's position. The Israeli military would not provide the ABC with a list of the influencers allowed in and did not respond to questions on whether the influencers were asked to go there by the IDF or the Israeli government. But the practice is well-known inside Israel as Hasbara, a term used to describe pro-Israel advocacy. Last month, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported the Israeli foreign minister was funding a tour of Israel for 16 US social media influencers, encouraging them to create content messages that aligned with Israeli government policy.
