🔴 Website 👉 https://u-s-news.com/
Telegram 👉 https://t.me/usnewscom_channel
OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
11:03 AM – Friday, February 27, 2026
The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families from Israel amid rising tensions with Iran and growing concerns over civil unrest.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an updated travel advisory warning American citizens of heightened security risks in Israel and the West Bank amid rising regional tensions.
“In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank,” the embassy warned. “Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available.”
The U.S. Embassy in Israel advised Americans to reconsider travel to the Jewish State and the West Bank due to concerns over potential civil unrest and terrorism. The Embassy also warned against travel to Gaza Strip because of ongoing armed conflict, to parts of northern Israel amid military activity near the Lebanon and Syria borders, and to areas along the Egypt border, with the exception of the Taba Crossing.
“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the Embassy explained. “The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.”
Officials noted that airlines may cancel and/or curtail flights going in and out of Israel due to “increased regional tensions,” stressing the urgency of individuals leaving while they still have a pathway to safety.
“There is no need to panic,” U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said, per the New York Times. “But for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”
Huckabee advised government officials to secure any flight out of Ben-Gurion Airport and find their own way back to Washington, D.C., stressing that “the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of [the] country.”
As part of President Donald Trump’s military buildup in the region, the USS Gerald R. Ford — the world’s largest aircraft carrier — is slated to dock in Haifa, Israel, this Friday. It joins the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, which is already operational in nearby waters.
The naval surge arrives against the backdrop of a diplomatic stalemate. Despite multiple rounds of indirect talks, the U.S. and Tehran remain deadlocked — a friction largely rooted in the administration’s hardline directive against Iranian nuclear capabilities.
However, tensions have spiked to a new high following President Trump’s recent suggestion that regime change may be “the best thing that could happen,” a remark that has fueled speculation of an imminent U.S. strike.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below