The State Department issued a notice on Friday stating that non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families are authorized to leave Israel due to safety risks. The authorization comes amid a buildup of U.S. military force in the region and languishing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. (State Department)
The State Department has authorized the departure of some American personnel from Israel amid a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East and languishing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The department issued the notice Friday saying nonemergency U.S. government personnel and their families are authorized to leave Israel due to safety risks. The notice did not mention any specific threat but noted ongoing concerns about terrorism and civil unrest.
The embassy may also further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain parts of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank, the notice said.
“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the State Department said.
U.S. Central Command declined to answer questions about whether the advisory affects active-duty service members or civilian Defense Department employees in Israel.
The U.S. maintains a small force posture in the country. Last year, following the cease-fire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war, the Pentagon deployed about 150 troops to assist in directing humanitarian aid.
Notice to leave Israel comes amid a buildup of U.S. military force in the region as bilateral talks over Iran’s nuclear program continue without a clear resolution in sight.
President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, but leaders in Tehran say they have a right to enrich uranium, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S. has sent an armada of warships, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, and dozens of military aircraft to the region in recent weeks.
Trump said Tuesday in his State of the Union address that he prefers to solve the problem with diplomacy, but he has repeatedly said he is willing to use force if a deal with Iran is not reached.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut was also partially evacuated last week amid concerns about Iran, the BBC reported.
