The recent ceasefire has further reduced tensions and made planning and operations even more predictable. Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli airspace are operating normally under the civil aviation authorities.
Flights to Tel Aviv (TLV)
Service has broadly resumed. Israeli carriers are operating, and many international airlines have restored routes on regular schedules; resumptions from major U.S. and European carriers have continued through mid- to late-2025 (with a few airline-specific exceptions).
Sites & on-the-ground logistics
Major pilgrimage and cultural sites are open (Jerusalem’s Old City and holy places, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Dead Sea region, etc.). Operating hours are being maintained and regularly updated by local custodians.
Crowd levels are lower than pre-war peaks. Many groups report unusually open access at key sites—an atypically uncrowded experience right now.
Costs & availability
We have not yet seen a post-ceasefire cost surge. In fact, with more foreign carriers returning, several outlets report airfares are easing from prior highs. Hotel and ground-service pricing remains stable relative to recent months, with good availability in many areas. (As always, prices can vary by date and route.) We anticipate that this may soon change.
Entry requirements
Travelers from visa-exempt countries (including U.S.) must obtain ETA-IL (Israel’s electronic travel authorization) before travel. This has been mandatory since January 1, 2025. Apply only via the official PIBA/government site; the fee is ~NIS 25. Plan to submit at least 72 hours before departure.
Going forward
We’ll keep monitoring air schedules, local conditions, and site operations with our partners. If you’re discerning a pilgrimage in the coming months, the logistics are favorable and planning is more straightforward than it has been since October 7th.
While everything in life, and especially travel, always carries some degree of risk, Christian Expedition would not bring a group to any destination unless we were confident of the safety and security of that destination. We have carefully monitored governmental travel advisories and have listened ongoingly to the reports of our partners on the ground in Israel. Furthermore, we have monitored the state of Christian travel to Israel and have noted that a limited number of groups have traveled to Israel in the past months, all without incident. We have concluded that travel to Israel is safe, apart from certain regions within the country which our itinerary will avoid (and which our itineraries generally avoid, anyway).
The situation between Israel and Hamas shows some signs that it’s moving towards de-escalation, with the withdrawal of some IDF forces and the success of the IDF in northern Gaza. The country of Israel as a whole is quite safe for visitors, with the exception of certain areas which we do not visit. Apart from security concerns, one ongoing hindrance to travel to Israel is that US airlines are still not flying to Tel Aviv. We expect that this will change soon (likely sometime in the Spring), in part because of the precedent set by the Lufthansa group, which has just recently resumed flying to Tel Aviv.
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack from Gaza into Israel. Their ground attack penetrated only a short distance into Israel but was coupled with rocket attacks. Subsequently, the terrorist organization Hezbollah began to launch attacks from Lebanon into the northern part of Israel. Attacks of this kind on Israel are not uncommon, though the scope and duration of these attacks are notable. Israel is surrounded by many enemies and has been since its modern inception as a state. We have been bringing groups to Israel for many years, and have experienced situations of this general nature many times over the years.
Since these attacks, Israel has responded militarily through aerial strikes and through a ground operation in Gaza, which have been aimed at rooting out Hamas and ending the threat which they pose. These Israeli operations have been progressing quickly and successfully. It seems to us safe to say that Israel is now mostly in control of northern Gaza and are turning their attention now to the southern half of Gaza.
Without minimizing the horrific nature of the attacks which occurred on October 7th, we would like to draw your attention to the following points:
We are closely monitoring the situation each day. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to our travel support team at (877) 234-3002 or hello@christianexpedition.com for assistance.
Expeditions to Israel scheduled for October have been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances in the region.
The Israeli authorities have recommended a hold on departures for the next 48 hours and advise those currently in Israel to remain in their locations until further notice, prioritizing safety.
For friends and family members seeking information, please be assured that our expeditioners currently in Israel are safe and well taken care of. Their well-being is our utmost priority.
Ensuring your safety is paramount to us. Hence, for those set to depart after October 8th, we will reach out as soon as we’ve catered to the immediate needs of our expeditioners who are either presently in Israel or have departures lined up for today and tomorrow.
The duration of this emergency is uncertain. Over the past 40 years, such disruptions in Israel have typically spanned a few days, though some have extended longer. Rest assured, we, along with our local partners, are closely tracking the situation.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during these times. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for our team, expeditioners, and everyone in Israel at this moment.
In light of the complex security situation that began this morning in the southern part of the country and surrounds Gaza and affects large areas of the country, we ask all tourists to obey the instructions of the security authorities.
The current recommendation is to stay close to buildings and protected spaces.
Following the guidance of the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, tours throughout the country should be avoided. Those arriving on cruises – should stay on the ships. All other tourists should stay in their hotels. In general, please stay near protected places and act according to the instructions of the Home Command.
The Ministry of Tourism operates a virtual office for the benefit of tourists for information and guidance.
The virtual tourism bureau – inquiries on WhatsApp only or by email