The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel warning for Israel “to reflect the current security situation.”
As of Tuesday, Israel is under a Level 3 Reconsider Travel category because of “terrorism and civil unrest,” along with the West Bank.
Israel was previously under a Level 4 Do Not Travel category due to “armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest,” according to a previous version of the warning from June 16.
Why It Matters
These updates are significant not only for American tourists and expatriates but also for U.S. government employees, many of whom are restricted from personal travel in wide swaths of the country due to escalating threats.
The guidance is also relevant to airlines considering their flight schedules.
What To Know
“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza,” the new warning says. “Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.”
“The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning,” it adds. “Increased regional tensions can cause airlines to cancel and/or curtail flights into and out of Israel.”
Last month, on June 14, the U.S. Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of family members and non-emergency U.S. government employees “due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region.”
This came just ahead of Israel and the United States launching operations against Iran, with America targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure days after Israel launched its own broad offensive against military and intelligence sites.
Trump has said the strikes caused “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Senior Iranian officials have acknowledged serious damage to the sites, but international inspectors have not yet been given access to fully assess the situation.
Tensions over how Iran would respond have been high but the U.S. President announced a ceasefire on June 24, marking an end to what he has called the 12-day war.
The most recent travel update comes as Trump announced Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the terms of a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and warned Hamas to accept the deal before the situation deteriorates further.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza,” Trump said in a statement. “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.” Trump added that Qatar and Egypt would present the final proposal to Hamas.
It is just days before Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday for high-stakes talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
AP
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Department of State said in its update: “In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on Friday: “The operation in Gaza is the main arena. In the near future, we will reach the lines we defined for the current phase as part of operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots.’ From there, operational options will be developed and presented to the political echelon.”
“We will continue to act with determination in order to achieve the two main objectives of the war—the return of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” he added.
Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim, responding to a ceasefire proposal on May 30: “Upon careful examination, it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation and perpetuate policies of killing and starvation, even during what is supposed to be a period of temporary de-escalation.”
What Happens Next
The advisory’s strict travel restrictions keep open the possibility of further operational changes, including limitations on consular services and potential flight disruptions.
The outcome of the ceasefire proposal is yet to be seen.
