ISRAEL SITREP 2023-10-17 03:30 GMT
NEXT (PLANNED) UPDATE: 2023-10-17 (TBD) GMT
SUMMARY OF UPDATES/ CRITICAL INFORMATION:
US State Dept coordinating evacs of US citizens Please complete ONLINE FORM! (details here)
Updated Guidance (per State Dept. conversation): If you are an American citizen and want to take advantage of state-assisted departure, show up at the airport. You do NOT need to receive the email from State Dept. first. This has officially become an all-call situation. They prefer you fill out the crisis intake form first but it’s not necessary
After 2 days of media reporting the Rafah border would open for aid and foreign nationals, it has yet to do so. Egypt is blaming Israel, Israel is blaming Hamas
If family missing from Gaza Periphery - Go to the Israel National Police’s combined assistance center at 4 HaNegev Street in Airport City. Additional information can be found here
Home Front Command Guidelines have been updated (see below)
Threats are located toward bottom of the page
BUS AND TRAIN ROUTE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE
Information about state-sponsored evacuation flights can be found here
ISW Iran Update Here
There appears to be more availability on commercial flights
This post is likely truncated by your email provider. If so, please view it in a web browser or on the Substack App.
Source: https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/LLBG
Emergency Numbers
Police - 100
Ambulance - 101
Fire - 102
Emergency centers in the hospitals
Soroka Medical Center - 12-55-177
Barzilai Medical Center - 1255171
Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital - 1255182
Kaplan Medical Center - 1255181
Shamir Assaf Harofeh Medical Center - 1255188
Wolfson Medical Center - 1255135
Sheba Medical Center - 1255131
Ichilov Hospital - 1255- 133
Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center - 1255122
Shaare Zedek Medical Center - 02-5645024
The assistance centers for victims and victims of sexual assault
Helpline for women 1202
Helpline for men 1203
Chat assistance - https://www.1202kolmila.org.il
For more information resources visit Link Junkie’s (an Analyst Army volunteer) StartMe Pages
Home Front Command Guidelines
Due to the security situation, the Home Front Command determined the following guidelines as of Monday, October 16, 2023 at 18:00, until Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 18:00:
Limited Activity (Orange Level) - Gaza Envelope, West Negev and Ashkelon
Educational Activities - Educational activities are prohibited.
Gatherings and Services - Gatherings can be held with a limit of up to 10 people outdoors and up to 50 people indoors. Funerals can be held with a gathering limit of up to 15 people. The beaches are closed to the public.
Workplaces - It is possible to carry out an activity in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Please note: In these areas, the Home Front Command instructs to open the shelters in the local municipalities.
Limited Activity (Orange Level) - Central Negev, West Lachish, Lachish, HaShfela, and Dan
Educational Activities - Educational activities are prohibited.
Gatherings and Services - Gatherings can be held with a limitation of 10 people outdoors and 50 people indoors. Funerals can be held with a gathering limitation of up to 100 people, and mourning tents with up to 50 people outdoors. Beaches are closed to the public.
Workplaces - It is possible to carry out an activity in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Please note: In these areas, the Home Front Command instructs to open the shelters in the local municipalities.
Partial Activity (Yellow Level) - The Confrontation line, Northern Golan, Golan Regional Council towns, and Katzrin
Educational Activities- Educational activities are prohibited.
Gatherings and Services - Gatherings can be held with up to 30 people outdoors and 300 people indoors. Beaches are closed to the public.
Workplaces - Can operate indoors or in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Partial Activity (Yellow Level) - Yehuda, Shomron, Sharon, Yarkon, Shfelat Yehuda, and Jerusalem
Educational Activities - Educational activity can be held in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Gatherings and Services - Gatherings can be held with up to 30 people outdoors and 300 people indoors. Beaches are closed to the public.
Workplaces - Can operate indoors or in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Full Activity (Green Level) - Baq'a, Beit Shean Valley, HaAmakim, Wadi Ara, Menashe, HaCarmel, HaMifratz, Center Galilee, Lower Galilee, Upper Galilee, and the towns of the Dead Sea and Emek HaYarden Regional Councils
Educational Activities - Educational activity can be held in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
Gatherings and Services - up to 1,000 people .Workplaces - Operating without restrictions.
Full Activity (Green Level) - Elat, Arava, South Negev, Tamar Regional Council
Educational Activities - Educational activities can be held without restrictions.
Gatherings and Services - up to 1,000 people.
Workplaces - Operating without restrictions.
Evacuations
US AMERICANS - in Gaza
STATUS: GAZA-EGYPT CROSSING WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN AT 0900 MONDAY FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS AND HUMANITARIAN AID, HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET
Americans stuck in Gaza or with other needs can complete this form
US AMERICANS - in Israel
Security Alert #10: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (October 15, 2023) - Evacuation instructions
Register with US State Department - fill out the form and call.
In the US call 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) or 1-606-641-0131.
U.S. citizens in Israel please call the local number (03-519-7426)
Evacuation fights are being scheduled. Here is some guidance:
Charter flights will be to Athens or Frankfurt, and voyages by sea will be to Cyprus.
The U.S. government is assisting U.S. nationals and their immediate family members with a valid travel document to depart Haifa via sea for Cyprus on October 16, 2023. Boarding begins at 0800 AM local time. U.S. citizens must arrive at Haifa port passenger terminal no later than 0900 AM local time. Boarding will proceed in order of arrival and is on a space limited basis.
Each person may take one suitcase weighing up to 50 pounds and one carry-on weighing up to 22 pounds.
NO pets allowed.
You will likely have to sign a promissory note and repay the government.
Congressman Corey Mills has secured a charter plane. Complete this form if an evacuation is needed for an American citizen
Register with Project Dynamo (a 501c3) specializing in evacuations and cooperating with the State Department - fill out their form.
Register with Humanitarian Aid and Rescue Project (HARP) (a 501c3)- fill out their form.
Evacuation flights
For all the details of the flights departing to Israel, you can contact the Air Force Command 24/7 on WhatsApp: 03-6065854 (source)
Evacuations from Gaza
Negotiations are currently ongoing to provide safe passage to foreigners in Gaza.
For more information about state-sponsored evacuations, click here
Air Travel
See the MiseryMap for a live visualization of flight delays.
Commercial Air Travel - Available for Israel
See the AA Custom Map to see airports and helipads!
Ben Gurion Airport Flight Status: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departure
Flights scheduled Tuesday:
Air India - Able to book flights for October 19, 2023. Book here
Air Portugal (see TAP Air Portugal below)
Air Seychelles - Multiple flights are available for booking try PRI or SEZ as destination.
Air Serbia - Flights available to book October 15-16 and then from October 19 on Airline Notice
Akria Israeli Airlines - Website states there may be delays and cancellations but they are trying to operate as many of their flights as possible https://www.arkia.co.il/
Bluebird Airways (Greek) - https://www.bluebirdair.com/contact
Has multiple flights available. Book here
El Al (Israel Airlines)- Airline Notices as of October 11, 2023. Flights departing from Ben Gurion Airport will depart from Terminal 3 only
They have added additional flights to Turkey and Larnaca
A dedicated emergency line has been set up for people needing to change the dates of their flight due to the situation: Phone: +972-3-9404040
WhatsApp: +972-3-9771111
Fly Dubai is offering a decreased schedule that can be booked here, GET THE VALUE TICKET FOR ~$10 MORE AND YOU CAN CHECK A BAG AND GET A MEAL
Georgian Airways - PHONE: 995 322 111 220 | WEBSITE: https://georgian-airways.com/en | info@georgian-airways.com
HiSky - book
Israir
Book here
Red Wings (Russian) https://flyredwings.com/en/
Flights available to:
Makhachkala Oct 18-21, 23-29
Moscow Oct 18-21
Samara Oct 20
Sochi Oct 19-20, 23-27, & 30
Vladikavkaz Oct 19
Yakaterinburg Oct 20 & 27
Smart Wings (Czech) https://www.smartwings.com/en/ | As of October 12 (14:40 GMT)
UPDATE: New flights/seats to Prague starting October 15, 2023; To book click here
TAP Air Portugal https://www.flytap.com/en-us/ (as of this report next available flights are 16 & 18 Oct from TLV to Lisbon, Portugal)
Transavia (Dutch) https://www.transavia.com/
Emergency Number +352 27 002 728 | Mon-Sun (Central European Time)
Dutch 0800 - 2200
English 0500 - 2300
French 0500 - 2300
As of October 12 (14:50 GMT) it appears the only route available is to Amsterdam starting 23 October
Commercial Air Travel - Suspended for Israel
Air Canada
AirEuropa
Air France
Remain suspended until further notice
Flights cannot be booked on website until November 1, 2023
Air India - Airline Notices - We could not find any flights available through 31 October
Air Malta - Cancelled several return trips through October 18, 2023 - article
Aegean Airlines - Per phone call to airline on October 11, 2023 flights are suspended until October 16, 2023
At this time, flights can only be booked for November 1, 2023 and beyond.
American Airlines
through December 4
Airline Notices cancelling all flights to and from Tel Aviv
Austrian Airlines (more to follow)
up to and including Saturday (22 October) - suspend its regular flights to and from Tel Aviv
British Airways - Through Date = UNKNOWN
article - October 11, 2023
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong) - up to and including 29 October 2023
Challenge Airlines - website is down
No flights shown & Israel has been removed from their destination list
Delta
Through October 31
Airline Notices - canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv
article - October 9, 2023
EasyJet | Airline Notices
until October 19
article - October 11, 2003
Edelweiss Air (Swiss)
Israel Office +41 848-333-593
Emirates (article - October 11, 2003) | Airline Notices
Through October 20
Hainan Airlines (Chinese)
October 12 to October 31 - canceled flights connecting Beijing and Shanghai to Tel Aviv from
Between Shenzhen and Tel Aviv were unchanged (article is being regularly updated)
Iceland Air - Not able to book flights from Tel Aviv at this time
KLM | Airline Notices
as of October 15, 2023 flights have been cancelled until further notice
Lot Airlines (Polish)
Air Line Notices (scroll to see cancellations)
WEBSITE: https://www.lot.com/us/en
Please provide LOT with your contact information at phone no. +97237217931, WhatsApp, or email: tlv@lot.pl. This will enable them to keep you updated on any changes concerning your flights.
For Polish and English languages, our Contact Center is available for you 24/7 at +48225777755 and +48224917755
Lufthansa Group(German)
up to and including 22 October
Neos - as of October 16, 2023 no scheduled flights for the next 7 days.
Norwegian (Dutch) - through December 19 (article 12 Oct)
Pegasus (Turkish)
per telephone call to airline at October 11, 2023 flights suspended until October 31, 2023
RyanAir (Irish)
Through October 11 contact the airline
article - October 11, 2003 states they suspended flights
article - October 09, 2023 states they suspended flights
Royal Air Maroc
AT228 of October 14th through and including 18th
AT229 of October 15th through and including 19th
Airline Notice - October, 11, 2023
Swiss Air
Tus Air - Flights have been cancelled from October 14. (Notice)
United Airlines
Through October 31, 2023
article - October 9, 2023)
Virgin Atlatic - Airline Travel Notice
Flights cancelled through October 28, 2023
Wizz Air (Hungarian)
PHONE: (calling from Israel) 19-01-727-200 | WEBSITE: https://wizzair.com/en-gb/
article - October 11, 2003
Russia banned night flights to Israel (article - October 10, 2023)
“…“do not fly” order from the president of the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots.” (article - October 9, 2023)
Border Crossing (see AA’s custom map)
GAZA to EGYPT - CLOSED as of 11 Oct - See Summary Above
US and Egypt are close to reaching a deal allowing foreigners to leave Gaza.
Salah al-Din Gate - UNKNOWN (google)
GRID: 34.248221 31.277483
ISRAEL to EGYPT
Menachem Begin Crossing (aka Taba Border Crossing)
GRID: 29.49244, 34.9046 (google)
HOURS: 0800-2000
PHONE: 08-636-0999 OR 03-9758303
WEBSITE: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/menachem-begin/
ISRAEL to JORDAN
Visas must be arranged beforehand and cannot be obtained at the border. Additionally, private cars and tour buses cannot cross international borders – travelers must change vehicles upon crossing or use the other two border crossings. (website)
Allenby/King Hussein Bridge - OPEN
GRID: 35.531612 31.868994 / 57km away from Amman
HOURS: CHECK THE WEBSITE DAILY!!!
Expected to be open today 0800 - 1530
Arrival of tourists to the terminal will be possible - up to 3 hours before closing time Diplomats will be allowed to arrive at the terminal - up to 1.5 hours before the terminal closes
PHONE: 02-548-2600
WEBSITE: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/
Sheikh Hussein Crossing (NORTHERN) / 90km away from Amman
GRID: 32.49707, 35.57559
HOURS:
Sunday - Thursday: 08:30hrs - 19:30hrs
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00hrs
PHONE: 04-609-3410
WEBSITE: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/
Wadi Araba Crossing (SOUTHERN) 324km away from Amman
GRID: 34.9800242 29.5752061
HOURS:
Sunday–Thursday: 07:30hrs – 21:00hrs
Friday – Saturday: 09:00hrs – 21:00hrs
AKA: Aqaba Border Crossing
Yitzchak Rabin - OPEN (MOST SOUTHERN) Note: this one is not listed on the Jordanian website
GRID: 34.9767753 29.5747693 (google)
HOURS:
Sunday-Thursday 0630-2000
Friday-Saturday 0800-2000 (passage of vehicles every day until 1900)
PHONE: 08-630-0555
WEBSITE: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/
OTHER BORDER CROSSINGS
Arava Border Crossing Station - OPEN
Alternate name for the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing
Aqaba Border Crossing - OPEN
Israeli name for the Wadi Border crossing into Jordan
Border Station Emek Harod - UNKNOWN
GRID: 35.3088789 32.5108802
Durra Border Crossing - UNKNOWN
GRID: 34.9627286 29.3577976
Erez Checkpoint - CLOSED
GRID: 34.54390639, 31.5583818
WARNING: Imagery confirmed breach of border crossing fence line (source)
Jaber Border Crossing - UNKNOWN
GRID: 36.1952749 32.5194485
Kerem Shalom Checkpoint - CLOSED
GRID: 34.2724963 31.219044
“Sabotage” Agricultural Checkpoint - UNKNOWN
GRID: 34.9719375 32.1706875
JORDAN to SAUDI
Al-Omari Border Crossing - UNKNOWN (google)
GRID: 37.0808639 31.5333612
HOURS: 24hrs
Phone: +96253838060
JORDAN to SYRIA
Ar Ramtha Border Crossing - UNKNOWN (google)
GRID: 36.04226180 32.5796853
WEBSITE: https://www.khaberni.com
Threats
Hamas releases video of French-Israeli hostage
28 communities within 2km of northern border expected to evacuate
UNRWA tweeted that Hamas raided supplies. Shortly after making the claim, the tweets were deleted.
UNRWA: More than one million people have been displaced in Gaza since the start of the escalation
Iran warns of regional escalation if is strikes against Gaza continue
NOTAMS
While we make every effort to publish relevant NOTAMs all viewers are encouraged to check the latest information from the FAA or the CAA.
A1105/23 NOTAMR A1092/23
Q) LLLL/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/3124N03520E121
A) LLLL B) 2310111124 C) 2310191600
E) SECURITY.
ISRAEL ADVISORY FOR TEL-AVIV FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION FIR - LLLL.
1. APPLICABILITY:
THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO ALL AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL
OPERATORS PLANNING TO FLY INTO, OUT OF, OR WITHIN
TEL-AVIV FIR - LLLL, AT ALL LEVELS.
2. DUE TO THE ONGOING CONFLICT SITUATION IN THE REGION,
BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA BASED EXTREMISTS MILITANTS,
OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO REVIEW CURRENT SECURITY,
THREAT INFORMATION AND NOTAMS.
3. OPERATORS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT ISRAEL AIRPORT AUTHORITY-
IAA FOR OPERATIONAL INFORMATION.
4. CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF ISRAEL - CAAI IS
MONITORING THE SITUATION AT ALL TIMES, ASSESING THE
RISK AND MITIGATING THE RISK TO AN ACCEPTED LEVEL
OF SAFETY - ALOS, ACCORDING TO ICAO STANDARDS.
NEVERTHELESS OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION.
DELAYS EXPECTED, OPERATORS SHOULD CONSIDER FUEL ACCORDINGLY.
5. OPERATORS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT CAAI FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Notam NO: C2668/23
Location Indicator: LLLL
Location Description: Tel-Aviv FIR
Created : 08/10/2023 14:35
Valid From : 08/10/2023 14:33
Valid To : 19/10/2023 16:00
(C2668/23 NOTAMR C2661/23
Q) LLLL/QAELC/IV/NBO/E /000/999/3124N03424E017
A) LLLL B) 2310081433 C) 2310191600
E) AN AREA FM GAZA-STRIP BOUNDRAY TO 40KM OUTWARD CLSD
TO ALL FLTS INCLUDING AGRICULTURE FLTS.)
NOTAM NO: C2667/23
Location Indicator: LLIB
Location Description: Rosh-Pina
Created : OCT 08, 2023 14:35
Valid From : OCT 08, 2023 14:33
Valid To : OCT 19, 2023 16:00
(C2667/23 NOTAMR C2660/23
Q) LLLL/QACLC/IV/NBO/AE/000/060/3259N03534E006
A) LLIB B) 2310081433 C) 2310191600
E) CTR AND AD CLSD TO ALL FLTS.)
NOTAM #: A1105/23
Class: International
Status: Active
Issue Date UTC: Oct 11, 2023 1124
Start Date UTC: Oct 11, 2023 1124
End Date UTC: Oct 19, 2023 1600
A1105/23 NOTAMR A1092/23
ISRAEL ADVISORY FOR TEL-AVIV FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION FIR - LLLL.
1. APPLICABILITY: THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO ALL AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS PLANNING TO FLY INTO, OUT OF, OR WITHIN TEL-AVIV FIR - LLLL, AT ALL LEVELS.
[Highlights from para 2-5]…OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION. DELAYS EXPECTED, OPERATORS SHOULD CONSIDER FUEL ACCORDINGLY… OPERATORS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT CAAI FOR MORE INFORMATION.
