Israeli Travelers Trapped in Ethiopia’s War Zone: “Helpless, With No Way Out”

About 40 Israeli travelers were caught in the escalating security situation in northern Ethiopia and have been stranded in recent days at two locations in the fighting zone between federal government forces and local rebels. Around 20 of them, most aged 65 and older, have been staying in the town of Lalibela for five days, while another similarly sized group is stuck in Mekelle. They have also been joined by several individual Israeli travelers.

The group in Lalibela arrived in Ethiopia in the middle of the month as part of an organized tour. After completing the southern portion of the trip, they arrived in the north on September 22. Yuval Partok, an Israeli traveler trapped in the area, told the N12 website: "We landed and didn’t understand what the explosions around us were. We’re people over 65. They’re telling us to wait, but time is passing and people’s medications are running out."

According to him, the exits from the city are blocked, the roads are unsafe, and the nearby airport is not operating: "Every few hours, we hear gunfire, and sometimes even artillery. We’re supposed to fly back to Israel tomorrow, but it’s clear that isn’t going to happen anymore."

The travelers also report prolonged power outages and fears of shortages of food, fuel, and cash, as well as a communications blackout. In an appeal to the Foreign Ministry, they warned that some of the older travelers may need medical care. Partok added: "The first fear is that a stray bullet will fly in here and enter the room. The second fear is the uncertainty—we simply don’t know what to do."

He said that only after they became stranded did members of the group learn that the United States had issued an alert regarding the security situation in the area on September 17, five days before they arrived in the north: "We entered a war zone without even knowing it."

Members of the group also contacted private rescue companies in Israel, but said they were told that a rescue operation would not be possible without approval from the Foreign Ministry: "We feel stuck and helpless. We want someone to think outside the box and find a safe way to get us out of here."

The Foreign Ministry said that its Department for Israelis Abroad, the Situation Room, and the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa are in contact with the groups and relevant parties: "We are continuously assessing options for leaving the area in cooperation with local parties and in accordance with developments and security conditions on the ground. The Foreign Ministry is working, and will continue to work, to assist Israelis in the area as much as possible, while giving the highest priority to their well-being and safety."