Dozens of Israelis Trapped in Ethiopian Conflict Zones Amidst Heavy Fighting

Approximately 40 Israeli travelers are stranded in northern Ethiopia, caught in escalating clashes between government forces and local rebels in the Tigray region. Two groups, one of about 20 mostly elderly Israelis in Lalibela and another of 20 in Mekelle, have been stuck for several days as roads are blocked and airports are non-operational.

One Israeli traveler, Yuval Partok, described the dire situation in Lalibela, stating, "We hear shooting, and even artillery from time to time. We are supposed to fly back to Israel tomorrow, but obviously, that's not going to happen." He added that the group, which arrived in Ethiopia on September 22nd for an organized tour, found themselves in the conflict zone without prior knowledge of the fighting. "We entered an area of fighting without even knowing," Partok said.

The stranded Israelis are facing dwindling supplies of medicine, food, and cash, with intermittent electricity and fears of communication blackouts. "The first fear is that a stray bullet will fly in and enter the room. The second fear is the uncertainty, we simply don't know what to do," Partok explained, emphasizing the anxiety of being unable to return to their families and responsibilities.

Concerns have also been raised about the adequacy of prior warnings, as the group reportedly only learned after becoming trapped that the U.S. had issued a security alert for the region on September 17th. Attempts to arrange private rescue operations have been unsuccessful without government approval.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is "vigorously pursuing options for departure" in coordination with local authorities and is closely monitoring the situation. "We are continuously examining exit options from the area in cooperation with local factors and in accordance with developments and security conditions on the ground," a spokesperson said, prioritizing the safety and security of the trapped Israelis.