Some 20 Israelis trapped in northern Ethiopia as combat in country intensifies - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel News"Right now we are fine, but we don't know how long this situation will last," one of the Israelis told KAN News, adding that the group included elderly people.Follow us on GoogleMembers of the Tigrayan forces sit along a street as they patrol as tensions intensify after the forces launched a major offensive against the federal government in multiple locations, in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, September 24, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS)SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 21:43Updated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 22:05Some 20 Israelis are trapped in the city of Lalibela, in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, after armed groups resumed fighting with the Ethiopian army in a new escalation that could reignite the civil war in the country, KAN News reported on Sunday.According to what the stranded Israelis told KAN, there is no way to leave the city, with all flights in the area grounded and roads to Addis Ababa closed due to the intensification of combat."We often hear gunfire and explosions from the outskirts of the city," one of the Israelis told KAN. "Inside Lalibela itself, the situation is still relatively calm, and we can move around. We have food and a good, safe place to sleep, but the electricity has been cut off, and we are charging our phones using generators. Our cash reserves are also dwindling.""Right now we are fine, but we don't know how long this situation will last," he added, stressing that the main concern is the elderly people in the group, who might need medical attention not available in Ethiopia if the situation continues."We are closely monitoring the situation of Israelis staying in areas where security has escalated in northern Ethiopia and are in contact with the groups and relevant parties," the Foreign Ministry stated.Members of the Tigrayan forces patrol along a street as tensions intensify after the forces launched a major offensive against the federal government in multiple locations, in Mekelle, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, September 24, 2026. (credit: REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)"We are continuously examining the options for leaving the area in cooperation with local parties and in accordance with developments and security conditions on the ground."Ethiopian-Israeli struggling to reach relativesAn Ethiopian-Israeli from Lod told Walla on Sunday that he was struggling to reach his relatives remaining in the Gondar, one of the most important cities for the Beta Israel community, located in the region of Amhara.He explained that the situation in the city is one of constant fear, restricted movement, homes hit by gunfire, and a sense that those left behind are paying the price for the escalation in the country's north, even if the area is not the main fighting spot."They are afraid. They cannot move about freely," he said. "There is currently a war between the government and the forces and militias. Yesterday, I was told about a neighbor of theirs who was killed, and they sent me photos of a house completely destroyed by gunfire."Foreign Ministry issues warning for Israelis in EthiopiaOn Friday, the Foreign Ministry issued a warning for Israelis in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, calling on them to avoid all travel to the area until further notice.Israelis who are already in the region are requested to limit nonessential movement, avoid gatherings, demonstrations, military facilities, and flashpoints, and follow the instructions of local authorities.The latest development in the conflict saw Ethiopian Airlines suspend all flights in the region, including flights to the airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire.Yoav Etiel, Anna Barsky, Meital Sharabi, and Reuters contributed to this report.Follow us on Google