The U.S. State Department has issued an updated travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
As of Thursday, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest and avoid travel to Gaza entirely due to terrorism and armed conflict.
"The security situation remains unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning," the State Department says of the current situation in the Middle East.
U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are restricted from personal travel within seven miles of the Gaza demarcation line; the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon; within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders and within 1.5 miles of the Israel-Egypt border.
It's been more than six months since Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, prompting heightened travel advisories from the U.S. State Department in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in addition to a worldwide caution for all Americans traveling abroad.
"Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," officials warned last fall.
Travelers who do visit Israel, the West Bank or Gaza this spring are advised to avoid demonstrations or crowds, maintain a high level of situational awareness, exercise caution, check the most recent Embassy alerts, obtain travel medical insurance and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive fast alerts and make it easier to be located in the event of an emergency.
After suspending operations last fall, major U.S. airlines are resuming service to Israel. United Airlines restarted service between Newark and Tel Aviv last month and Delta Air Lines will follow suit with service from New York's JFK to Tel Aviv on June 7.
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