The State Department warns against traveling to Lebanon due to the war between Israel and Hamas

The State Department raised the security alert to level 4 for travel to Lebanon on Tuesday and issued a recommendation not to travel to that country At the same time, he authorized the non-emergency departure of some US government personnel from the country due to the “unpredictable security situation” in the country.

The State Department asked Americans in a statement to do not travel to Lebanon due to insecurity related “to exchanges of rockets, missiles and artillery between Israel and Hezbollah or other armed militant factions.”

The travel alert occurred after spontaneous protests were recorded in several parts of Lebanon on Tuesday night against the bombing that left more than 500 dead today in a Gaza hospital, including a protest that headed towards the US Embassy, whose access has been prevented by the Lebanese security forces.

The Lebanese army and law enforcement blocked all roads leading to the US diplomatic legation in Awkar with barbed wire.east of Beirut, and implemented tight security measures after a demonstration left for the area, the National News Agency (ANN) reported.

The protesters, many of them carrying Palestinian flags, They threw stones and Molotov cocktails that started a fire near the American legation.

“Large demonstrations have broken out in the wake of recent violence in Israel and Gaza. “American citizens should avoid demonstrations and be careful if they are near large gatherings or protests, as some of them have turned violent,” the State Department statement said.

Protesters, he adds, have blocked the main roads of the Lebanese capital, including the roads between downtown Beirut and the area where the US embassy is located, and also the roads between Beirut and the Rafic Hariri international airport.

Thus, The State Department asks to reconsider traveling to Lebanon due “to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnappings, and the limited ability of the Embassy in Beirut to provide support to American citizens.”

Furthermore, he asked asked Do not travel to Lebanon’s border with Syria due to “terrorism and armed conflict”, nor to the border with Israel due to “potential armed conflict” and possible refugee settlements.

“Terrorist groups continue to plan possible attacks in Lebanon. “Terrorists can carry out attacks with little or no warning against tourist sites, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and local government facilities,” the statement said.

The Lebanese government “cannot guarantee the protection of American citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence,” the statement added.

“U.S. citizens who decide to travel to Lebanon should be aware that consular officials at the U.S. Embassy may not always be able to travel to assist them” and those living and working in the country “should be aware of the risks of remaining” and “review your personal security plans,” says the State Department text.

Last week, the State Department raised the travel warning for Israel to Level 3: Reconsider Travel. The warning for Gaza remains the most severe: Level 4: Do not travel.

Keep reading:

– The images of the attack on a Gaza hospital that left hundreds dead
– Israelis and Palestinians blame each other for fatal Gaza hospital explosion
– Israeli attack on hospital in Gaza leaves more than 500 dead