As military clashes escalate dramatically between Thailand and Cambodia, with reports of civilian casualties and F-16 airstrikes, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has issued an urgent travel warning, advising all citizens to immediately avoid the volatile border regions and closed crossings.
In a rapidly unfolding crisis in Southeast Asia, Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday morning issued a dire travel warning, urging Israeli travelers to immediately avoid visiting or staying near the Thailand-Cambodia border due to an intensifying and deadly military clash between the two nations. The advisory specifically targets both northeastern Thailand and northwestern Cambodia.
The situation has drastically escalated since Wednesday night, when fierce military clashes erupted along the disputed border, with each country vehemently accusing the other of initiating the attack. Reports from the region indicate that what began as a series of skirmishes has spiraled into significant hostilities, including artillery shelling and even F-16 airstrikes by Thailand against Cambodian targets, and Cambodian rocket fire striking civilian areas in Thailand, reportedly claiming multiple lives and injuring dozens.
“The focus is on avoiding areas near border crossings, most of which are currently closed,” the Israeli statement read, emphasizing the extreme danger zones. “We recommend monitoring local media reports and adhering to security guidelines as they are issued.”
The severity of the conflict is underscored by international responses. Thailand’s embassy has already urged its citizens to evacuate Cambodia, while the US embassy in Bangkok reported that Thai authorities have begun evacuating civilians from the volatile border areas, advising US citizens to exercise heightened caution. Reports indicate tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced.
The conflict, rooted in a century-long territorial dispute over ancient temple sites, saw initial brief exchanges of fire in late May that left one Cambodian soldier dead. Despite subsequent diplomatic efforts and agreements to hold talks, tensions have remained exceptionally high, culminating in this week’s full-blown confrontation. The current escalation has even seen both countries expelling each other’s ambassadors and downgrading diplomatic ties, signaling a complete breakdown in relations.
