Israel, March 24, 2026 – In light of the current security situation and the severely restricted flight operations, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism is assisting international visitors in departing the country. To this end, the shuttle service to the land border crossings near Eilat has been resumed. Tourists can thus reach the Begin (Taba) border crossing to Egypt and the Rabin (Aqaba) border crossing to Jordan and organize their onward travel from there via international airports. In addition, a digital information portal has been set up.

According to the Ministry, approximately 8,700 tourists who entered Israel within the last 30 days are currently in the country. The Ministry of Tourism has taken measures to support both tourists and locals since the first day, February 28. These include organizing hotel rooms for tourists and locals, as well as transportation options for those departing.

Already at the beginning of March, the Ministry had organized free transfers from various collection points in the country to the Taba and Aqaba border crossings. After this service was temporarily suspended, it is now being reactivated in view of the persistently limited departure options and increasing demand – especially in the run-up to the Passover holidays.

For tourists wishing to leave Israel now, the following information from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism currently applies:

The shuttle service to the “Begin” (Taba) and “Rabin” (Aqaba) border crossings has been resumed. Travel is only possible after prior registration. For this, travelers must fill out the form provided by the Ministry. For the next departure, registration must be completed by Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

The shuttle buses will depart on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM each day from the “Arena Parking Lot” in Jerusalem.

From the border crossings near Eilat, onward travel is self-organized. From there, travelers can use international airports in Egypt or Jordan to begin their journey home or onward travel.

Currently, only Israeli airlines such as EL AL, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa are operating. The flight schedule remains severely restricted. EL AL currently serves only a limited number of flights to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Rome, and Athens. On flights departing from Israel, only 50 passengers per flight can currently be booked. This regulation does not apply to flights to Israel. Travelers can obtain further information on availability and rebooking directly from the respective airline.

In parallel, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism supports not only international visitors but also people in Israel who have had to be evacuated as a result of rocket attacks. According to the Ministry, approximately 2,780 evacuees are currently accommodated in 1,330 hotel rooms across the country.

Michael Izhakov, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, states: “We are proud that there is no other country in the world that cares for its residents and tourists in this way. No one is left without adequate accommodation and care. We prepared in advance and have been taking care of all those affected since the first day of the operation. The Ministry is prepared and ready to further expand its measures and help every tourist who wishes to leave the country safely and orderly.”

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About the Israel Government Tourist Office in Germany:

Whether it's round trips, city breaks, bathing, wellness, active and cultural trips, rental car tours, or family holidays: the Israel Government Tourist Office provides information about the various regions, cities, and sights in the Holy Land. Israel is located in the Eastern Mediterranean and is no more than a four-hour flight from most parts of Europe. The country offers a sunny climate, a wide variety of historical, archaeological, and religious sites, and a captivating contrast between ancient and modern. In Israel, visitors are welcomed with traditional hospitality that dates back to biblical times. goisrael.com

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