Worldwide Caution
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. U.S. citizens should:
Information for U.S. Citizens in Israel & the West Bank
The U.S. Embassy continues to closely monitor the dynamic security situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. There are active military operations and active rocket and mortar fire in Gaza and the Gaza periphery.
Flights from Ben Gurion
Ben Gurion Airport remains open with commercial flights available. Please consult directly with your airline and check the operating status of Ben Gurion Airport before traveling to the airport. There are no further U.S. government-charted flights planned. Should you need assistance to depart Israel, including financial assistance to purchase plane tickets, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem at JerusalemACS@state.gov or the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv at TelAvivACS@state.gov.
Departure over Land Borders
Some U.S. citizens seeking to depart have been successful departing the West Bank and Israel into Jordan via the border crossings, including Allenby Bridge and Sheikh Hussein. We encourage U.S. citizens to take advantage of those options if possible and safe to do so. There are no further U.S. government-charted buses planned.
U.S. citizens can check the status of land border crossings here:
U.S. citizens needing assistance to depart West Bank should contact the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem by email.
Consular Services
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the Branch Office in Tel Aviv have resumed appointments for regular passports and other consular services. Appointments must be made through the Combined Appointment System. Appointments are free and third-party services to make appointments are not required or recommended. For more passport and consular assistance information, visit our website.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the Branch Office in Tel Aviv will continue to accept walk-ins for U.S. citizens who do not have a valid passport of any nationality between 8 - 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, to receive a limited-validity, emergency passport. Passport pickups are at noon Monday through Friday. U.S. citizens with a valid Israeli passport or passport of any nationality are able to travel on that passport as long as they meet the entry requirements at the destination.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be providing regular outreach to the West Bank for U.S. citizens who are unable to get to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for an in-person appointment. Please fill out the online form so that we can see if you are eligible for an appointment in our upcoming visits. Filling out this form does not confirm an appointment for West Bank outreach; selected applicants will be emailed in the coming time period with a confirmation of services to be provided.
Visa Services
U.S citizens with immigrant visa questions can contact the immigrant visa unit directly by email.
Information for U.S. Citizens in Gaza
If you have not already done so, please complete the crisis intake form to provide contact information should we need to reach out to you on short notice.
We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable. The Palestinian Customs Authority has published lists of those permitted to cross into Egypt. U.S. citizens seeking to depart Gaza through Rafah crossing should consult that list, and if you find your name and the names of your immediate family members on that list, please go to the Rafah crossing with your U.S. passports and other valid travel documents.
Information for U.S. Citizens in Lebanon
We recommend that U.S. citizens in Lebanon leave now, while commercial flights remain available, due to the unpredictable security situation. Please see available flight options at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. You should have a plan of action for crisis situations that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. The best time to leave a country is before a crisis if at all possible. U.S. military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. There is no guarantee the U.S. government will evacuate private U.S. citizens and their family members in a crisis situation. If you have not already done so, please complete the crisis intake form to provide contact information should we need to reach out to you quickly with urgent updates.
Information for U.S. Citizens in Iraq
We recommend U.S. citizens in Iraq to monitor local media for updates and to avoid protests and large gatherings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the potential for demonstrations and protests related to the ongoing events in Gaza to spread rapidly throughout Iraq. Such demonstrations can develop quickly without prior notice and sometimes turn violent.
Status of U.S. Mission Operations in Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq
Please also be aware that the U.S. government has authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis from Mission Israel and Lebanon. The Department ordered the departure of eligible family members and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil due to increased security threats against U.S. personnel and interests.
Contact Information for U.S. Citizens:
U.S. citizens worldwide are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
U.S. citizens in Lebanon and Gaza who would like our assistance should fill out the crisis intake form. Do not fill out this form if you have already completed it – we have your information, and duplicate requests delay our response.
U.S. citizens in Iraq can reach the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services unit by email.
Reach us by phone:
State Department – Consular Affairs 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) and +1-606-641-0131
U.S. citizens in Israel please call the local number (03-519-7426)
U.S. citizens in Lebanon please call the local number (961-4-543 600)
U.S. citizens in Iraq please call the local number (0760-030-4400)
