Singapore urges citizens to leave Israel and Palestinian territories
Foreign affairs ministry updates travel advisory due to the escalating conflicts and heightened tensions in the region
SINGAPORE — Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a pressing travel advisory on Tuesday (10 October), urging all Singaporeans in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to leave the region as soon as possible via available commercial options.
This advisory was issued in light of the escalating tensions in the region, where safety concerns have taken centre stage since Sunday, when Israel began military retaliation against Hamas in response to unprecedented attacks initiated by the Palestinian militant group which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Israel also maintained its bombardment of Hamas-controlled Gaza on Tuesday, despite threats from the militant group to execute some of the hostages it had abducted whenever Israeli air strikes target Palestinian homes without warning.
Evacuation advisory for Singaporeans in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
As indicated in the MFA's previous travel advisory on Sunday, Singaporeans were already advised to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Israel's borders with the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria. Furthermore, non-essential travel to Israel was strongly discouraged in light of the ongoing conflict.
In the wake of the latest developments, the MFA has escalated its travel advice, calling upon Singaporean citizens to prioritise their safety and evacuate Israel at their earliest convenience.
"Those who wish to remain in Israel are advised to remain vigilant, monitor local developments closely, and avoid areas known for public disturbances or where large crowds congregate, especially in the Old City and East Jerusalem including Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount," the ministry added.
Additional recommendations include purchasing comprehensive travel and medical insurance to ensure personal safety.
Emergency contact and eRegistration for Singaporeans abroad
Singaporeans have also been strongly encouraged to eRegister with MFA to facilitate contact in emergencies. Staying connected with family and friends is advised to keep them informed about their safety status, according to the Ministry.
In case of emergencies or the need for consular assistance, Singaporeans in Israel or the Palestinian Territories may contact the Singapore Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office, which operates 24 hours a day. The contact information for both offices is provided below:
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Israel (Tel Aviv)
Address: 28 HaArba’a Street, South Tower (19th floor), Tel Aviv 6473926, Israel
Tel: +972-3-7289334
Fax: +972-3-7289340
Email: singemb_tlv@mfa.sg
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24 hours)
Tel: +65-63798800/8855
Fax: +65-64767302
Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg
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