US embassy in Israel issues security alert, tells citizens to use caution, know where shelters are

The US Embassy in Jerusalem issues a security advisory, warning US citizens in the region to show increased caution, and highlighting Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

“Due to high tensions in the region, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly,” it says in a “security alert” posted on X and addressed to US citizens abroad, regarding Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.  “We remind U.S. citizens in the Middle East of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments,” it says.

“U.S. citizens should know the location of the nearest shelter in the event of hostilities,” it adds.

The advisory notes that travel to Israel and most Gulf countries should be reconsidered and says travelers should avoid Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and Yemen, in line with existing warnings.

There is no indication of what triggered the advisory.

Ahead of the latest Iran war, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned citizens to leave the region and similar advisories were issued.

On February 27, the embassy issued a security alert authorizing the embassy’s non-emergency personnel and the family members of those stationed in Israel to leave the country due to “safety risks.” The joint Israel and US strikes on Iran began the next morning.

Two days later, on March 2, the US State Department urged Americans to immediately leave all of the Middle East from Egypt eastward, including Israel.

On March 3, Huckabee advised US citizens in Israel wishing to leave the country to do so via Egypt, while acknowledging that “the options are fairly limited” for those seeking to get out of Israel.