Ongoing Situation in Israel and Gaza

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT

The ongoing attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists are inhumane, devastating, and won’t be tolerated. They have murdered children, bombed civilians, and have taken Israelis, Americans, and others hostage. Hamas terrorists are committing horrendous war crimes. This is an evolving situation and I am working to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens in the region.

My office is ready to assist U.S. citizens and their families currently throughout the region.

The State Department has a 24/7 coordinating group that is working to assist U.S. citizens in the region. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy in Israel by filling out this form(link is external) or calling 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) or 1-606-641-0131 (U.S. local) or 03-519-7426 (Israel local).

U.S. citizens in the region should also enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(link is external) (STEP) for ongoing updates. The latest security alerts can be viewed here(link is external).

U.S. citizens in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens wishing to depart Israel can check the status of Ben Gurion International Airport and the availability and status of flights here(link is external). 

Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, but some flights have been reduced or suspended. Some U.S. carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. You can check the status of flights and the status of Ben Gurion International Airport here(link is external).

U.S. citizens can check the status of land border crossings here:

U.S. citizens should heed the Travel Advisory(link is external) for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. 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.  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. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning. If you require emergency assistance while in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, contact the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem(link is external) by email (JerusalemACS@state.gov).

Individuals seeking to depart Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt should monitor the Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders’ Facebook Page(link is external) for a list of those approved to cross. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or immediate family (as listed below) who desire our assistance and have not already provided their information to the Department of State, please email U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at JerusalemACS@state.gov(link sends email) with a copy of the individual’s travel document as well as an explanation or proof of relationship.

Additional messages to U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Israel can be found here: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/(link is external)

President Biden has directed the U.S. government to do everything it can to determine the whereabouts of missing U.S. citizens, and to work with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts.