
Thousands of Brits trapped in Israel as flights out of the danger zone blocked
THOUSANDS of Britons were trapped in Israel last night as flights out of the danger zone were blocked.
Military chiefs have shut down the airspace until June 30 while attacks continue.
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PM Sir Keir Starmer was under pressure to launch a mass evacuation as Iranian ballistic missiles have killed 14 and injured 200 since Friday.
Ministers refused to be drawn on whether contingency plans were being drawn up to remove 44,000 UK citizens.
The Foreign Office put Israel on the 'red list', advising against all travel.
Holidaymaker James Eden, 72, travelled to Jerusalem on a six-day Christian pilgrimage — but said he was stranded last night.
The grandad, from Newcastle, is hoping to take a four-hour bus through the Negev desert and then cross to Egypt before flying home.
Mr Eden said of the Foreign Office: 'All they do is send alerts.
"They're not going to stop me — but they're not going to help me get out of Egypt either.'
No10 last night said: 'We are monitoring the situation closely and keeping all contingency plans under constant review.
"The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority.
'We now advise against all travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.'
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Reuters
28 minutes ago
- Reuters
Gold hits near 2-month high as Middle East conflict boosts safe-haven demand
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Sky News
37 minutes ago
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Search and rescue under way as new Iranian rocket barrage hits Israel
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Air raid sirens went off in the city, and also in Jerusalem. The Israeli military said: "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. "Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice. "Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command." Israeli strikes have killed 224, says Iran Some 224 people have now died in Israeli strikes since Friday, according to latest figures from Iran's health ministry and the country's Mehr news agency. Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said on social media that 1,277 others were hospitalised and claimed over 90% of the casualties were civilians. Latest figures from Israel are that 14 people have died and 390 wounded. 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After reports emerged from Reuters that Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Shoshani was questioned on this. "We don't comment on future operations" he added. You can watch Shoshani's interview here...


Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Iran says 224 killed while Israel says 14 dead - as missiles seen over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Explosions have been seen over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Israel faces another barrage of missiles from Iran. It comes after explosions were reported in central Tehran, as Israel and Iran trade strikes for a fourth day.