General

A 43-year-old Sri Lankan man has been detained for entering Israel illegally and for unlawfully transporting a foreigner. The International Division of the Israeli Police (Interpol) stated that legal proceedings will be taken against the Sri Lankan under Israeli law. Before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, human traffickers from Jordan and Egypt had smuggled many Sri Lankans into Israel via desert routes across the borders. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel confirmed this information in a statement. After border security was tightened, these human trafficking activities have nearly stopped, the Embassy noted. Given the current conflict and security situation, the Sri Lankan Embassy has advised all Sri Lankans to safeguard themselves from human traffickers and to avoid trying to enter Israel illegally through desert routes.