The federal government is advising Canadians to avoid traveling to Israel, saying the country faces an “increased risk” of territorial attack.
Israel is bracing for a possible Iranian attack after two Iranian generals were killed in an airstrike in Syria last week. The same explosion also damaged the Canadian embassy in Damascus.
Iran condemned the Israeli airstrike and vowed retaliation. Israel has not commented on the attack.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Canadians should avoid all travel to Israel and the West Bank.
The regional security situation remains highly unstable and volatile, with the risk of attacks on Israeli territory increasing. It may escalate without notice.
We have increased our risk level to “avoid all travel” to Israel and the West Bank.
Canadians should consider leaving the country commercially.
“The risk of attacks on Israeli territory has increased and the security situation in the region remains highly unstable and could escalate without notice,” she said.
“Canadians should consider leaving through commercial means.”
Since the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been near-daily gun battles along the Israeli-Lebanese border between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
U.S. officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria against U.S. troops stationed at bases in those countries since the war began on Oct. 7.
Iran has vowed revenge on Israel for allegedly killing seven members of the Revolutionary Guards, including two top commanders. Israelis are now preparing for a response that could escalate into a full-scale war.
The Israeli military said it was preparing plans to respond to an Iranian attack.
Israeli military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said late Friday that Israel was prepared for a “wide range of scenarios,” including both defensive and offensive actions. He also said the Israeli military commander had completed a situational assessment with Gen. Eric Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, who is visiting Israel.
“Our defenses are in place and we know how to deal with every threat individually,” Hagari told reporters. “Next to defense, we are ready to attack. We are ready to attack with a wide range of capabilities and we know how to act and protect the people of Israel.”
Iran maintains numerous proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, all of which have the ability to attack Israel. Iran has long-range missiles that can reach Israel. Israeli leaders have threatened to attack Iran directly if it attacks.
