State Dept. authorizes departure of non-essential personnel in Israel
Israel was expected to proceed with its ground invasion of Gaza over the weekend.
The State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Israel, Gaza and the West Bank on Saturday, authorizing the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel.
According to the advisory, the authorization of the departure of staff from the U.S. embassy and branch office in Israel reflects “the unpredictable security situation in Israel.”
Israel was expected to proceed with its ground invasion of Gaza over the weekend.
The guidance for travel to the region remained the same. The State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to “terrorism and civil unrest” and not to travel to Gaza due to “terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict.”
The U.S. began charter flights for American citizens and their immediate families out of Israel Friday.
