State Department Issues Level 3 Alert After Hamas Attack

ABC News recently reported on the escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has resulted in significant casualties and prompted a series of advisories and flight cancellations. Here are the key points from the report:

Escalation and Casualties:

• Attack by Hamas: Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack from Gaza into Israel, causing substantial loss of life and injuries.
• Casualty Figures: As of Thursday, the Israeli Health Ministry reported at least 1,200 deaths and 2,900 injuries in Israel. In Gaza, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported 1,417 deaths (including 447 children and 248 women) and about 6,268 injuries due to Israeli retaliatory airstrikes.

Travel Advisories:

• State Department Advisory: The U.S. State Department elevated its travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (“reconsider travel”) and issued a “do not travel” advisory for Gaza due to terrorism and civil unrest.
• FAA Advisory: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged U.S. airlines and pilots to use caution when flying in Israeli airspace, highlighting the potentially hazardous situation.

Airline Responses:

• Suspended Flights: Major U.S. airlines (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines) and several foreign carriers (Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, KLM, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Lufthansa, ITA, Ryanair, Norwegian Air, Finnair, TAP, Gulf Air, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines) have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv.
• Ongoing Flights: Some airlines, including El Al and flydubai, continue to operate flights with caution.

U.S. Government Actions:

• Charter Flights: The U.S. State Department is arranging charter flights for American citizens currently in Israel, with plans to fly them to sites in Europe starting Friday.
• Safety Recommendations: U.S. citizens in Israel are advised to increase their security awareness, follow local government advice, and verify flight statuses before heading to Ben Gurion Airport.

This comprehensive coverage emphasizes the severe impact of the conflict on travel and the heightened security measures being implemented. For those considering travel to the region, it is crucial to stay informed through reliable sources and adhere to official advisories to ensure safety.

Source: ABC News