Israel-Hamas War: US Advises Citizens To Reconsider Travel To Israel In New Advisory — Details

In the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel, the US State Department, in its updated advisory, urged its citizens to reconsider travelling to the war-torn country.

Israel-Hamas War: The US State Department has advised Americans to reconsider travelling to Israel following deadly Hamas attacks on the war-torn country. The travel advisory for the West Bank has been raised to level 3, while for Gaza, the advisory remains at the most severe level 4.

“The Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Israel and the West Bank to Level 3—Reconsider Travel on October 11, 2023.  The Travel Advisory for Gaza remains Level 4 – Do Not Travel.  This replaces the previous Travel Advisory issued on October 3, 2023,” the department said in an official statement.

The US State Department raised its advisory to level 3, highlighting terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists, and other violent extremists plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. 

“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza.  Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.  Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning.  There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning,” the statement read.

The advisory further stated that the people who have decided to travel to Gaza should be prepared for an indefinite stay as the crossings between Gaza and Israel and Egypt can close without advance notice and for long periods.  

“Be prepared for an indefinite stay as the crossings between Gaza with Israel and Egypt can close without advance notice and for long periods during times of unrest and armed conflict. Have a plan for entering and departing Gaza that does not rely on U.S. government assistance,” the advisory said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the White House said that as many as 22 Americans died in Hamas' attack on Israel and 17 remain unaccounted for. It further stated that the figure is likely to increase in the coming days. National Seccurity Advisor Jake Sullivan said more Americans could be among those taken held hostage by Hamas, adding that the US communicating with Israel on recovery of hostages.

“We know that, so far, 22 Americans lost their lives and 17 remain unaccounted for. We know that these numbers are likely to increase in the days ahead,” said John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, as quoted by the news agency PTI.