Ottawa says avoid all travel to Israel as the country braces for potential Iranian attack

The federal government is recommending that Canadians avoid all travel to Israel, stating that the country faces a “heightened risk” of an attack on its territory.

Israel is bracing for a possible Iranian attack after an airstrike killed two Iranian generals in Syria last week. The same blast also damaged the Canadian embassy in Damascus.

Iran has blamed Israel for the airstrike and has vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on the strike.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Canadians should avoid all travel to Israel and the West Bank.

“With a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory, the regional security situation remains highly volatile & could escalate without notice,” she said.

“Canadians should consider leaving by commercial means.”

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been almost daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group along the Israel-Lebanon border.

U.S. officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on U.S. forces at bases in those countries since the war began on Oct. 7.

Israel’s military says it has prepared plans to respond to an Iranian attack.

The Israeli army’s spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said late Friday that Israel is ready for a “wide variety of scenarios” that include both defensive and offensive actions. He also said that Israel’s military chief has completed a situation assessment with the head of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, who is visiting Israel.

“Our defences are ready and know how to deal with every threat separately,” Hagari told reporters. “Next to defence, we are prepared to attack. We are ready to attack with a range of capabilities and we know how to act and protect the people of Israel.”

Iran has a number of proxy groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen that are all capable of striking Israel. Iran also possesses long-range missiles that can reach Israel. Israeli leaders have threatened to strike Iran directly if it attacks.