British travellers have been warned away from areas within a 40km of Gaza as Israel stepped up an aerial bombardment of the Palestine Territory.
This includes Israel’s fifth largest city of Ashdod, a port of call for cruise lines for excursions to Jerusalem.
More than 20 cruise companies make calls at the port for Tel Aviv including Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Two long-range missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Tel Aviv yesterday in retaliation against an attack by Israeli forces.
Israel said it fired at more than 130 targets in Gaza overnight, saying militants fired 11 rockets from Gaza, the BBC reported.
The FCO, tightening its travel advice, said: “We advise against all but essential travel to areas within 40km of Israel’s border with Gaza.
“On 14 November the Israel Defence Force announced a military Operation against Gazan militants.
“A significant number of rockets have been fired from Gaza landing in cities in Southern Israel, including Ashdod and Be’er Sheva.
“Due to a continued risk of indiscriminate rocket fire from armed groups within Gaza, we advise against all but essential travel to areas within 40km of the Gaza perimeter, including Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be’er Sheva, and Kiryat HaMalachi.
“We advise against all travel to Gaza. There is a high risk of continued military exchanges in and around Gaza.”