THE first Brits have been airlifted out of Israel by the RAF after one national was injured in Iranian attacks, the Foreign Secretary confirmed.
Meanwhile, Brits in Qatar have been ordered to “shelter in place” until further notice, and all air traffic has been suspended over the country.
Brits on board the first RAF evacuation plane out of IsraelSWNS
David Lammy spoke to the Commons about the situation in the Middle EastPA
GettyCivilians retrieve personal belongings from the rubble of their houses after a ballistic missile in Tel Aviv[/caption]
AlamyBrits have been warned to ‘shetler in place’ in Qatar[/caption]
Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, grounding flights in and out of the Gulf state.
In a statement posted to social media on Monday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Qatar Airways has been contacted for comment on the impact to its operations.
Airlines are reviewing routes across the region, with some services rerouted or diverted mid-air.
It comes just hours after the Foreign Office advised British nationals in Qatar to “shelter in place” following a US security alert.
The UK Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Iran and urges British nationals in the region to follow local guidance.
David Lammy said 63 “vulnerable British nationals and their dependants” had been evacuated from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport by an RAF A400 to Cyprus, and will then head on to the UK.
He also confirmed that one Briton had sustained injuries while in Israel and had been offered consular support – but gave no further details.
More than 4,000 had “registered their interests” in leaving, he said, and further flights will depend on the ongoing security situation.
Lammy said: “There are just over 4,000 British nationals that have registered their interests following our appeal last week, and we would estimate that somewhere between 15-25 percent of them […] take up the offer of British assistance to leave.”
Downing Street said “around 1,000” people had actually requested a seat on an evacuation flight.
Lammy’s Conservative counterpart, Priti Patel, claimed: “British nationals and dual-nationals continue to be stranded in Israel.”
The Foreign Office (FCDO) issued the shock order to Qatari-based citizens in the wake of the US’s weekend blitz on Iran and the ongoing conflict with Israel.
FCDO officials updated travel advice for Qatar to recommend British nationals in the Gulf state “shelter in place”.
Shortly afterwards, Qatar announced that it was suspending all its air traffic – fuelling speculation there is a credible threat of an attack.
Some 22,000 Brits are residents in Qatar – which hosted the World Cup in 2022 – and it is estimated 156,000 visit from the UK each year.
There is an American Air Force base in Qatar – Al Udeid – and many have speculated this is the kind of site Iran could target to enact revenge for the US strikes.
The base is in the desert outside of Doha and is the forward HQ for US Central Command.
In his statement to the Commons, Mr Lammy repeated his plea to Iran to return to the negotiating table following America’s strikes on its nuclear programme.
He said: “My message for Tehran was clear, take the off ramp, dial this thing down, and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately.
“The alternative is an even more destructive and far-reaching conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences.”
It comes after the Trump administration issued the same warning regarding Qatar to US citizens.
SWNSAn RAF plane is bringing home 63 British nationals from Israel[/caption]
SWNSRAF crew pictured with luggage[/caption]
Iran is continuing to threaten revenge strikes after the US blitz over the weekend.
And it is feared they could launch attacks across the Middle East – targeting Americans and potentially Brits.
In an update to the page, the FCDO said: “Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice.
“Follow instructions from local authorities.
“The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops.”
SWNSBritish nationals are being returned home amid the conflict in the Middle East[/caption]
SWNSA Brit in a Spurs shirt takes a selfie with an RAF crewman[/caption]
SWNSThe crisis in the Middle East is deepening amid fears of Iran’s response[/caption]