volcanic ash cloud
© AP
A volcanic ash cloud created after a volcano erupted in the northern African country of Eritrea is heading toward Israel, the Israel Meteorological Service confirmed on Tuesday.

It is not yet certain whether the cloud will disrupt flights in the area.

According to current estimations, the ash cloud is moving high in the atmosphere, and will probably remain too high to cause any travel disruptions or changes in the quality of air.

Officials from the meteorological service and the Civil Aviation Authority are meeting later in the day to discuss other possible scenarios.

One of the possibilities that Israel will prepare for is that the ash particles sink lower into the layers of the atmosphere closer to earth and thus affect visibility and air quality.

Last month, the Israel Meteorological Service issued a similar warning about the huge ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano which had caused travel chaos throughout Europe.

Transportation Minister Israel Katz ordered the head of the Civil Aviation Authority, Giora Rom, held talks with the Israel Airports Authority, the Meteorological Office and European aviation bodies, but eventually the cloud did not reach Israel.