A missile that landed near embassies in the Tel Aviv area led to a wave of evacuations and shutdowns, as nations including the U.S., China and Australia scramble to help their citizens leave Israel amid the war with China
The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is prompting a wave of embassy closures, evacuations, and heightened security measures across the Middle East and beyond, as foreign governments respond to growing risks for diplomatic personnel and citizens.
In Israel, an Iranian missile that struck the central town of Ramat Gan on Thursday shattered a window at the Dutch embassy, though no injuries were reported, according to the Dutch foreign ministry. The Austrian embassy, also located in Tel Aviv, confirmed it was unaffected by the same strike.
Just 200 meters from the Lithuanian embassy, buildings were hit by Iranian missiles, prompting Lithuania to evacuate the families of its diplomats and non-essential staff, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Kenya raised concerns after the explosion occurred just a few hundred meters from its embassy. "Foreign missions are inviolable under international law and must be excluded and protected from armed conflict at all times," said Korir Sing'Oei, principal secretary at Kenya's foreign affairs ministry. Kenya's ambassador to Israel confirmed that embassy staff had been working remotely and were safe.
