State Department issues worldwide travel warning for US citizens overseas
Eden Villalovas
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The State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory, warning all Americans traveling and living overseas to proceed with caution as the Israel-Hamas war approaches its second week.
On Thursday, State Department officials released the worldwide warning, “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.”
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Citing the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against American citizens, the alert advised U.S. citizens abroad to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists” and encouraged U.S. citizens overseas to enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which will send alerts and makes it easier to find users in an emergency situation.
Earlier in the day, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut encouraged Americans to leave the country “as soon as possible” as regional tensions rise, noting they should make plans to depart “while commercial options are still available.”
The fighting between Israel and Hamas has caused protests to turn violent in Lebanon while clashes break out along the Lebanon-Israel border. On Wednesday, five fighters from Lebanon’s heavily armed Hezbollah were killed during conflicts with Israel.
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More than 7,000 Americans have left Israel and the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told Politico on Wednesday. The State Department said, “Some U.S. citizens have successfully departed the West Bank and Israel into Jordan via border crossings.”
The last time the State Department issued a worldwide alert was in August 2022 following the killing of al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahri, who helped Osama bin Laden plan the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan.