Travel warnings issued for Israel amid ‘viable threat’ from Iran
- US officials fear a "viable threat" from Iran on Israeli soil
- Travel advisories for Israel, Gaza and the West Bank are in place
- IDF says it is 'highly alert and prepared' for an attack by Iran
This picture taken on April 10, 2024 from Israel’s southern border with the Gaza Strip shows buildings which have been destroyed during six months of fighting and relentless bombardment of the Palestinian territory, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
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WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — A travel advisory has been issued for Israel by the United States, United Kingdom and France “out of an abundance of caution” amid reports of an imminent attack on Israeli soil from Iran and its proxies in retaliation for the killing of a top Iranian general.
“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” the State Department said in a news release.
The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday it was “highly alert and prepared” for an attack by Iran.
Iran has been threatening to avenge the deaths of two of its generals killed in an airstrike in Damascus, Syria, last week. It blames Israel for the strike, though Israel has not commented.
Israel has called up additional air defense units and activated other troops in anticipation of an attack by either Iran or the many proxy militant groups it supports in the region.
“We do believe that this still is a viable threat and that, again, we’re doing everything we can to make sure that Israel can defend itself,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday.
U.S. President Joe Biden said this week that the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.