UK loosens Israel travel advice as last evacuation flight departs Sunday

The UK government has eased its travel advice for Israel as the final evacuation flight for British nationals prepares to depart Tel Aviv on Sunday.

The UK government has relaxed its travel guidance for Israel following a ceasefire that ended 12 days of conflict between Israel and Iran.

Israel reopened its airspace to commercial flights after the US and Qatar brokered the truce earlier this week.

The Foreign Office had previously advised against all travel to Israel. On Friday, it eased the guidance, now advising against all but essential travel to most areas of Israel, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, while maintaining stricter warnings for parts of northern Israel, sections of the West Bank and Golan Heights, and all of Gaza.

A final government-organized evacuation flight is scheduled to leave Tel Aviv this weekend, with officials saying demand has dropped as commercial flight options return.

"The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

The UK had already stopped arranging onward travel for citizens who left Israel overland via Jordan and Egypt.

Downing Street said that around 25 percent of the 4,000 British nationals who registered in Israel or the Palestinian territories had requested seats on evacuation flights.

The Foreign Office said the situation in the region remains fragile and will be kept under review.

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