Smartraveller: Australian officials told leave Ramallah amid Israel’s Gaza takeover, West Bank settlements

Australian officials and their dependents have been told to leave Ramallah hours after Israel approved new settlements in the West Bank and signalled it was moving ahead with plans to take over Gaza City.

A Smartraveller alert has warned that the Australian Government’s ability to provide consular assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was now “extremely limited”, with operations at the Australian Representative Office suspended.

On Wednesday, Israel approved new settlements in the West Bank and signalled it was moving ahead with plans to take over Gaza City, despite international criticism and growing support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The Israeli Government has greenlit a settlement project of 3400 housing units in the heart of the occupied West Bank at the same time the Israeli military is advancing plans to take over Gaza City, with troops on the city’s outskirts.

Smartraveller has described the security situation in the area as “unpredictable” and “volatile”.

“Regional tensions remain high and there continues to be a risk of further military conflict. The security situation could deteriorate at short notice. Flight cancellations and disruptions could occur with little or no notice.”

It advised Australians to take shelter, seek the advice of local authorities and monitor local media in the event of an attack.

“Terror attacks can occur anywhere at any time, including by lone actors. Be alert to personal safety risks. There continues to be a very high threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region,” the Smartraveller alert reads.

Australians in need of consular assistance have been advised to contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv or Australian Embassy in Jordan.