The government of the Maldives announced on Tuesday that it was banning Israeli nationals from entering the South Asian archipelago over Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

The decision comes in "resolute solidarity" with the Palestinian people, the office of President Mohamed Muizzu said in a statement.

What led to the ban?

Maldives had initially made the decision to ban Israelis in June 2024.

On Tuesday, the People's Majlis — the island nation's parliament — passed an amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, barring the entry of Israeli passport holders.

Muizzu ratified the amendment shortly after. The leader had been under pressure from government allies and opposition parties to impose the ban as a statement of criticism to the war.

"The ratification reflects the government's firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people," the president's office said.

Israel has rejected accusations of genocide in the war in Gaza which was triggered by the October 7, 2023, terror attack on the country by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Maldivian president's office did not specify when the ban would come into force.

Tense relations between the Maldives and Israel

The Maldives and Israel do not have full diplomatic ties, but Israelis have been able to visit the popular tourist destination known for its turquoise waters and luxury island resorts.

The island nation, where Islam is the state religion, had revoked a previous ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and briefly attempted to restore relations in 2010.

Last year, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives.

Only 59 Israeli tourists visited the Maldives in February among 214,000 other foreign travelers, according to official figures.

Another predominantly-Muslim South Asian country, Bangladesh, barred its citizens last week from visiting Israel amid public outrage over the situation in Gaza. The nation reintroduced an "except Israel" inscription on its passports.

Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Syria are among the nations that ban Israeli passport holders or prohibit their citizens to travel to the country.

Edited by: Zac Crellin