The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has raised the outbound travel alert for Israel and Iran to “black” — the highest level in the city’s three-tier alert system, signifying a severe threat — in view of the latest developments in the ongoing conflict.

“The HKSAR government advises Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Israel and Iran,” a government spokesman said in a notification issued Thursday evening, citing the highly unpredictable security situation in both countries.

Hong Kong residents currently in Israel and Iran are advised to prioritize their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safer areas immediately, the spokesman added.

In a written reply to China Daily, the Immigration Department confirmed that as of 5 pm on Friday, the department had received reports that 19 Hong Kong residents requested assistance. Eighteen of them have already managed to leave the region.

The department will maintain close contact with the remaining Hong Kong resident and provide appropriate assistance, it said.

The conflict escalated on June 13 when Israel launched attacks on Iran, claiming the aim was to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, asserting its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel. The hostilities entered their second week on Friday.

US President Donald Trump reportedly told aides on Tuesday that he had approved attack plans but was holding off to see if Iran would give up its nuclear program.

READ MORE: White House: Trump to decide on Iran action in two weeks

Since the conflict began, several countries have suspended embassy operations in Teheran. The closure of airspace and several airports has complicated efforts to evacuate expatriates from both countries.

Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has said it will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Iran. Updates will be issued through the media, the bureau’s mobile app, and its outbound travel-alert webpage.

Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran are urged to follow local authority announcements and guidance from the Chinese embassy there.

For assistance, Hong Kong residents in these regions can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, use the department’s mobile app to call the hotline via network data, or access the 1868 Chatbot.

Additional support options include sending messages to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, or submitting an online assistance request form.

Residents can also contact the local Chinese embassies directly: in Israel at (972) 3545-9520, and in Iran at (98) 91-2217-6035.

ALSO READ: State media: Iran struck Israeli military intelligence sites, not hospital

Hong Kong residents traveling outside the city are encouraged to register their contact details and itinerary through the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service. This allows the Immigration Department to provide timely updates and practical information when necessary.