JOHANNESBURG, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The South African government has urged its citizens in Israel to evaluate their personal safety and act without delay amid escalating regional tensions, according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
In an advisory issued on Monday, DIRCO said that safety takes absolute precedence and advised avoiding unnecessary movement. "If you feel unsafe or uncertain, we strongly advise that you act without delay," it said.
The warning comes after intensive airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday, which have led several countries in the Middle East, including Israel, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Bahrain, to partially or fully close their airspace.
DIRCO recommended South Africans consider land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt as primary evacuation routes, citing the Allenby Crossing to Jordan and the Taba Crossing to Egypt.
Additionally, the government urged all citizens in the Middle East to contact relevant South African embassies to ensure they are registered and their whereabouts are known. ■