TOURISTS LEAVE ISRAEL BECAUSE OF WAR

Tel Aviv, 14 Ramadhan 1435/12 July 2014 (MINA) – Large numbers of tourists visiting Israel left the country fearing further deterioration in the security situation as the Israeli war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continues, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday.

Today is the fifth day of an Israeli offensive on Gaza called ‘Operation Protective Edge,’ which is being waged to eradicate Hamas and other fighters, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

In retaliation to the Israeli war, Palestinian fighters have continued to launch rockets at Israeli settlements and cities in the country.

An American tourist told the newspaper that he could not find space on a plane because of the large numbers of tourists planning to leave. He reiterated that tens of thousands of tourists are leaving.

In the same context, the newspaper said that a Polish plane refused to land in Ben Gurion airport because it was targeted by a Palestinian rocket on Friday. It was obliged to land in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Hamas’ military wing Al-Qassam sent a message to all foreign airlines to suspend flights in and out of Israel to keep their passengers safe.(T/P02/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)