(RepublicanPress.org) – On the morning of October 7, Hamas — a Palestinian terrorist organization — fired thousands of rockets upon Israel. Afterward, the assailants launched a coordinated attack by land, sea, and air, attacking 22 Israeli towns and military bases. They killed civilians and military members indiscriminately and kidnapped many from their homes and off the streets. Death tolls continue to rise amid the conflict. Nearly a week after the initial attack, the State Department issued an advisory.
On October 11, the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US Department of State updated its travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. The updated recommendation said US government employees now have increased travel restrictions for the area. While Gaza was the only place firmly listed on the do not travel list due to terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict, the notice said people should reconsider traveling to Israel and the West Bank for mostly the same reasons. The only thing left off the list for those areas was armed conflict.
BREAKING: U.S. raises Israel travel advisory status to Level 3 — 'reconsider travel' pic.twitter.com/t2m6xavxbQ
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 11, 2023
As for US government employees, in particular, they cannot travel to Israel and the West Bank unless the move is considered mission-critical. Gaza is a different story. The State Department said Hamas controls that area, and government employees may not travel there for any reason.
Any American who does travel to the area will need their own plan to get out of the area, as the federal government will not be able to help. The advisory also listed some tips for those who choose to travel to the region at this time, including learning where the bomb shelters are located, avoiding demonstrations, being aware of their surroundings, and preparing for emergencies. The notice said attacks can happen with little or no warning.
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