Britain withdraws family members of embassy staff from Israel

Out of fear of a wider regional conflict, the British embassy withdrew family members of Israeli embassy staff.

 People inspect damage at the site of an Israeli strike, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon September 27, 2024.  (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
People inspect damage at the site of an Israeli strike, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon September 27, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

 Britain has withdrawn the families of its embassy staff working in Israel due to the escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and the risk of a wider regional conflict.

The decision comes in the wake of Israel sending troops into southern Lebanon, the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and an Iranian missile attack on Israel.

"As a precautionary measure following escalation in the region, family members of British Embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn," the Foreign Office travel advice web page for Israel read. "Our staff members remain."

Hezbollah rockets hit Haifa early on Monday as the country looked poised to expand its ground incursions into Lebanon.

 Iron Dome anti rockets system seen in the city of Haifa, Israel, August 30, 2013 (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90)
Iron Dome anti rockets system seen in the city of Haifa, Israel, August 30, 2013 (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90)

Citizens advised against traveling to Israel

Britain advises citizens against all travel to the area close to the border with Gaza and "all but essential travel" to other parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the yearlong conflict between Israel and Hamas.

But British citizens living in Israel are not being told to leave. Instead, they are being advised that consular assistance is "severely limited".

"We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks," the advice reads. "We strongly encourage you to check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice."