The State Department has begun evacuating nonessential government personnel and their families from Israel, as the conflict with Iran heats up and President Trump weighs greater U.S. involvement.
A government plane departed from Israel Wednesday with diplomats and family members who had asked to leave the country, according to The Associated Press, which cited two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The AP said there was no indication of how many diplomats were on the flight, nor how many evacuated Israel by land routes.
“Given the ongoing situation and as part of the embassy’s authorized departure status, mission personnel have begun departing Israel through a variety of means,” the State Department said in a statement to multiple media outlets.
The government flight came shortly after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the U.S. was working to evacuate U.S. citizens. He noted Americans must enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, to receive updates and alerts on travel.
The State Department on Saturday authorized family members of U.S. personnel and nonemergency employees to depart Israel “due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region.”
The department currently advises against travel to Israel, citing the risk of armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest. Commercial flights to and from the region have also been canceled because of the conflict.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel remains closed until Friday.
