Dozens of Israelis trapped in northern Ethiopia as local clashes renew: "We must be rescued"

Approximately 20 Israelis and 30 foreign nationals are stranded in Lalibela, Amhara region, northern Ethiopia, following renewed fighting and fears of civil war. The airport is unstaffed, flights have been suspended, and ground exit is dangerous due to militias and bandits. The Israelis are in contact with the embassy and Foreign Ministry, but a safe evacuation route has not yet been found.

Approximately 20 Israelis and 30 foreign nationals are trapped in the city of Lalibela in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, amid renewed fighting and fears that the country is again sliding into civil war. According to the Israelis, there are no flights in or out of Lalibela, the airport is unstaffed, and ground travel toward the capital Addis Ababa is considered dangerous due to battles, armed militias, highway robbers, and roadblocks. They hear gunfire and explosions from the outskirts of the city, but within Lalibela the situation is relatively calm. Electricity has been cut off, and they are charging phones using generators. The group includes elderly travelers, and there is concern that if rescue is delayed, some will need medication. The Israelis are in contact with the embassy and the Foreign Ministry, but a safe way to extract them has not yet been found. The crisis escalated after seven armed groups announced an alliance against the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The clashes developed following the collapse of the Pretoria Agreement last week, after a coordinated attack by Tigrayan forces. The agreement, signed in November 2022, ended a previous civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Tigrayan forces took over the airport in Mekelle. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to the region. The trapped Israelis are aware of another group of about 20 Israelis who left Tigray yesterday but got stuck. The Foreign Ministry said it is leading efforts and examining exit options.