The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is advising Americans in Israel that they can leave the country via taxi or shuttle, but if they do so, their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Current government advice is for U.S. citizens to shelter in place and make their own security arrangements, with flights cancelled across the board as Israel enters a fourth day of war with Iran.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has begun operating shuttles to the Taba Border Crossing with Egypt as of Monday, the embassy said in a statement, with registrations available via an evacuation form.
“The U.S. Embassy cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle,” read the statement, which was posted on the embassy’s website and shared on X on Tuesday morning.
“If you choose to avail yourself of this option to depart, the U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety.”
Hours earlier, the State Department had included Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in a list of regions from which Americans should “DEPART NOW” due to “serious safety risks.”
The list, posted on X on Monday evening by Mora Namdar, the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, also included Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran.
Twelve people have been killed in Israel and hundreds injured as Iran fires a barrage of retaliatory missiles, including nine who died when a bomb shelter collapsed in Beit Shemesh.
Three of the victims were teenage siblings, The Jerusalem Post reported, named by authorities as Yaakov Bitton, 16, Avigail Bitton, 15, and Sarah Bitton, 13.
The newspaper also reported that sirens heard in Jerusalem Tuesday morning, warning of a suspected hostile aircraft infiltration, were triggered by a false alarm, which is now being investigated by the country’s military.
The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group is also targeting Israel from Lebanon in what it describes as vengeance for the killing of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The embassy said it was “not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel,” and had provided the shuttle information as a courtesy.
“As a result of the current security situation throughout the region, the U.S. Embassy has directed that all U.S. government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice.”
The Taba Border Crossing is currently operating and scheduled to be open 24 hours a day, the embassy said.
Passengers who wish to travel to Jordan can take the shuttle as far as Eilat and then continue independently by taxi to the Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing.
For those wishing to leave the Middle East, limited flights are available from Egypt’s Taba and Sharm al-Sheikh airports and Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport.
The U.S. Embassy advised American citizens remaining in Israel to exercise caution and “increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert.”
It also said they should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings; avoid all areas with a heavy police presence; monitor local media; and regularly check the State Department’s website.
