US State Department Raises Travel Advisory for Lebanon Amid Israel-Hamas War

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 8:35 AM ET, Wed October 18, 2023

The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory for Lebanon to Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to "reflect the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis."

The elevated advisory, which comes less than two weeks after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel prompting a declaration of war, encourages Americans to avoid travel to the Middle Eastern country "due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions."

"Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens," the State Department said in Tuesday's update.

"On, October 17, 2023, the Department authorized the voluntary, temporary departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel from U.S. Embassy Beirut due to the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon."

Specifically within Lebanon, officials advise travelers to avoid the border with Syria due to terrorism and armed conflict; the border with Israel due to the potential for armed conflict and refugee settlements due to the potential for armed clashes.

As of October 14, the State Department advises Americans to avoid travel to Gaza due to terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict and to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest.