Thousands of tourists in Israel find themselves stranded as the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has forced flight cancellations and city lockdowns, turning short vacations into uncertain, prolonged stays.
Since Israel’s strike on Iranian nuclear facilities on Friday, life in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv has come to a halt, leaving approximately 40,000 tourists stranded due to closed airspace and cancelled flights.
What began as brief visits has extended into indefinite stays, with many travelers seeking alternative exit routes through neighboring countries like Jordan. The once-bustling streets of Jerusalem are now deserted, and key sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Western Wall are under strict restrictions.
Justin Joyner is a tourist from the U.S. and he said that it's a worrying time.
"A very new experience for me personally, being American, and it is scary to hear, you know, missiles being intercepted, to feel the concussive blast, even though it's up in the sky," Joyner said.
"And to have to take your son and your father and go down to a bomb shelter which is just something you don't even have to consider in America, at least not since the 60s, so it makes me feel uneasy and very anxious to get back home," he added.
Meanwhile his relative, John Joyner said that they're looking for alternative places to stay. "We are looking for (something with) kitchenettes, some place to kind of reduce some of our expenses."
He added that they're also looking at a different place to fly from.
"Flight schedules, perhaps out of Jordan, if possible, and because it may be a while before Israeli airports open up."
Israel’s Tourism Ministry has set up a 24/7 virtual help desk to assist stranded foreigners, but uncertainty remains for those far from home.
Residents report worsening conditions since the Gaza conflict, with new missile attacks raising fears that the violence may escalate further.
Officials in Azerbaijan have said they have stopped terror attacks in Azerbaijan including on an Israeli Embassy, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and a Synagogue. Tensions between regional and global powers escalate. Military activity, security alerts and travel disruptions continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” almost a week into the conflict with Tehran. Trump made the comments on social media on Friday (6 March), hours after the Iranian president said unspecified countries had begun mediation efforts.
The Israeli military says it has destroyed an underground bunker beneath Iran’s leadership complex in Tehran that it claims was built for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Global market valuation of virtual currencies has surged to an unprecedented $2.73 trillion, approaching half the value of the world’s gold reserves. Yet for many investors, the promise of decentralisation is overshadowed by a growing concern: digital assets may be seized without prior warning.
In an exclusive interview with AnewZ, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Islamic Republic is "not targeting neighbouring countries," amid reports of drone strikes on Nakhchivan International Airport on Thursday (5 March).
Trump tells Axios he wants direct involvement in who takes over as Iran's next leader, rejecting Khamenei's son as "unacceptable" and citing the need for a figure who can bring "peace and harmony".
Officials in Azerbaijan have said they have stopped terror attacks in Azerbaijan including on an Israeli Embassy, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and a Synagogue. Tensions between regional and global powers escalate. Military activity, security alerts and travel disruptions continue.
Türkiye and Iran’s foreign ministers spoke by phone after reports that a ballistic missile entered Turkish airspace, with Tehran denying responsibility and insisting its recent strikes targeted only U.S. and Israeli facilities.
China has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their growing border dispute through dialogue and diplomatic channels, as clashes between their security forces entered a seventh day and left more than 160 people dead or injured, according to the United Nations.
Newly released FBI records summarising interviews with an unidentified woman contain allegations that U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to force her to perform a sexual act when she was a teenager, according to documents published by the U.S. Justice Department.
Australia’s move to ban social media access for children under 16 has intensified a global debate, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry said on Friday (6 March), becoming the latest country to introduce online guardrails aimed at reducing the risks of addiction and cyberbullying.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 6th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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