Government Identifies 922 Ghanaians Living in Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict, No Casualties Recorded

• The government has identified 922 Ghanaians living in Israel amid the escalating tensions with Iran
• Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa provided an update on those caught up in the conflict
• Ablakwa said that the government was ensuring that all Ghanaians in Israel had access to bomb shelters

The government has identified 922 Ghanaians living in Israel amid the Middle Eastern country’s escalating tensions with Iran.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said no Ghanaian casualties have occurred during the tensions so far.

Of the 922 Ghanaians in Israel, 65 are students in six universities in Israel, which has been exchanging fire with Iran for the past five days.

BBC reported that Iran most recently launched two waves of missiles in response to the Israeli attacks, setting off air raid alerts in the central and northern regions in the early hours.

The conflict reportedly started when Israel attacked nuclear and military sites in Iran, with the Iranians then retaliating with aerial attacks.

More than 220 people have been killed in Israeli strikes so far, according to Iran's health ministry, while Israel said that Iranian attacks had killed 24 people.

In a statement, Ablakwa said channels for regular communication with the Ghanaian community in Israel have been established as the authorities declared a state of emergency and closed all borders.

Currently, an evacuation from Israel cannot be carried out except with the express authorisation of Israeli authorities, which Ghana has yet to get.

Ablakwa also gave assurances that the government was ensuring that all Ghanaians living in Israel had access to bomb shelters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has an Emergency Evacuation Plan in place, which will be promptly activated when conditions are met.

Ablakwa added that the government had resolved to spare no effort in ensuring that Ghanaians caught up in the Israeli-Iranian conflict were offered full protection and removed from danger.

Ghana shuts down Iran embassy

On June 16, the government announced the immediate evacuation of Ghanaians living in Iran due to the conflict.

Ablakwa also said the embassy in Tehran had been closed with immediate effect to guarantee the safety of embassy staff.

The evacuation effort of Ghanaians in Iran was being done through land borders.

"Government assures that no effort would be spared in protecting Ghanaian lives and keeping all Ghanaians out of harm's way."

Oil prices jump after Trump's warning

YEN.com.gh also reported that oil prices rallied on June 17 after US President Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate. This caused fresh fears of all-out war as Israel and Iran continued to trade airstrikes.

After Friday's surge sparked by Israel's attacks on its regional foe, crude ticked more than one percent lower as traders bet that the battle would not spread and with key oil sites being mostly left untouched thus far.

However, prices edged back up after Trump took to social media, calling for the evacuation of the Iranian capital, with many fearing the escalating tension between the countries could have a far-reaching effect.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh