The State Department on Thursday issued a rare “worldwide caution” advisory to all Americans overseas, urging them to “exercise increased caution due to the potential for violence and increased tensions” globally.
It said that there is a potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests. “Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists,” it advised.
The State Department has urged U.S. travelers to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank and placed a “do not travel” advisory — its most severe warning — on the Gaza Strip due to “terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict.”
Americans have been fleeing the country on charter flight and cruise ships since the Hamas attacks earlier this month. Over 7,000 U.S. citizens have departed Israel and the West Bank, a State Department spokeswoman told The Washington Post on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the State Department raised its travel warning for Lebanon to “do not travel” because of rocket, missile and artillery exchanges between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Karen Schwartz and Heidi Pérez-Moreno contributed to this report.
The State Department seal on the briefing room lectern at the State Department in Washington. (Mandel Ngan, Pool via AP)
