Some 20 Israelis stuck in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region amid rebel advance

Twenty Israelis are stranded in Lalibela, northern Ethiopia, as escalating clashes between Ethiopian forces and armed groups threaten to reignite civil war, according to KAN News. All flights into the region have been grounded and roads to Addis Ababa are closed, leaving the group with no means of escape. While the Israeli hostages report the city of Lalibela to be relatively calm, they are unable to leave and are experiencing a lack of electricity and dwindling food and cash supplies.

The group's main concern is the elderly members who may require medical attention not available in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and exploring options for evacuation in cooperation with local parties. An Ethiopian-Israeli resident in Gondar expressed fear and restricted movement in the city, with reports of homes being hit by gunfire and a house destroyed by the escalating conflict between government forces and militias.

The Foreign Ministry has warned Israelis in Ethiopia to avoid travel to the Tigray region and follow local authorities' instructions.