By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Downing Street has declined to confirm whether plans are underway to evacuate British nationals from Israel, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
During a lobby briefing on Monday, a spokesperson for No. 10 refused to be drawn on whether the UK government is preparing to bring citizens home, despite growing international concern over the fast-developing conflict.
“We, of course, recognize this is a fast-moving situation that has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning,” the spokesperson said.
British nationals in Israel have been urged to consult the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) guidance on crisis situations abroad.
“We are keeping all our advice under constant review, and we plan for a variety of developments, as you would expect,” the spokesperson added.
The Foreign Office is currently advising against all travel to Israel. However, with Israeli airspace now closed due to the conflict, those already in the country are facing increasing difficulties returning to the UK.
Several countries have already begun efforts to repatriate their citizens from Israel, but the UK has so far stopped short of confirming whether similar operations are being considered.
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday.
Iran, for its part, said at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.