From the ancient fortress Masada, built on a rocky mountaintop above the Dead Sea, to the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, there’s no shortage of historically significant sites in Israel.
However, it’s also long been home to intense conflict with Palestine regarding territory and competing claims to Jerusalem. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 20 months since, the Gaza Health Ministry said in June, AP reported.
In June, the State Department issued a level-four do-not-travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza “due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region.”
It came days after Israeli warplanes struck Iran, including targets related to Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has responded with strikes against Israel.
“The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning,” the advisory said.
It warned that extremists may attack busy areas such as shopping malls and popular tourist spots. Airlines may also cancel flights from Israel at short notice.
The advisory also warned US citizens against traveling to the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest, and to Gaza due to terrorism and armed conflict.