The Ministry of Economy recommended that tour operators suspend the sale of tours to Israel

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development recommended that domestic tour operators suspend the sale of tours to Israel, the department’s press service told Vedomosti.

Tour operators were advised to suspend “the promotion and sale of tourism products, as well as certain tourism services to Israel until the situation normalizes.”

“The Russian Ministry of Economic Development recommends: Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Israel for tourism purposes until the situation in the country normalizes; Russian tourists in Israel should exercise caution in their actions and movements within the country,” the message says.

On the morning of October 7, the armed Palestinian group Hamas began firing rockets at Israel. As a result of the hostilities, according to official data, more than 600 Israelis were killed and over 2,000 were injured. On the Palestinian side, over 350 residents were killed and about 2,200 were injured.

Mass abductions of Israelis and guests of the country were reported by the group. Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Alexander Ben Zvi statedthat Hamas kidnapped a large number of people during an attack on Israel, among them there may be Russian citizens. However, there were no reports of Russians among the hostages.

Israel has officially declared that the country has entered a state of war. The Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) launched Operation Iron Swords.