The United States Embassy in Jerusalem has released an urgent security advisory directing American citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza to shelter in place, while also outlining evacuation options for those wishing to leave the region.
In the March 4, 2026 notice, the embassy reassured citizens that the U.S. government prioritises their safety and will continue providing real-time updates to guide their decisions. It encouraged Americans seeking assistance to complete the Crisis Intake Form on its travel website, warning applicants not to submit multiple entries.
The embassy confirmed that both its Jerusalem office and branch in Tel Aviv are currently operating under shelter-in-place orders for emergency staff and their families. All Americans in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza were advised to take similar precautions until further notice, including staying indoors, remaining in secure buildings, and avoiding windows.
Routine in-person American Citizen Services have been cancelled through March 6, while emergency in-person services are temporarily suspended.
Limited commercial flight options are available from Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has introduced shuttle services to the Taba Border Crossing for tourists, though prior registration through the ministry’s evacuation form is required. The embassy clarified it cannot recommend for or against using the shuttle but shared the information as guidance.
The Taba crossing into Egypt remains open 24 hours daily. Travellers should anticipate a three-to-four-hour journey from Taba to Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, which offers international connections. U.S. consular officers may be stationed in Taba to provide limited support.
The United States Embassy in Cairo advised travellers to carry at least $85 in cash per person to cross the Taba border, noting that ATMs there are unreliable. A 30-day visa on arrival is available for $30 in cash, allowing travel within the Sinai Peninsula and departures from Sharm el-Sheikh, including transit through Cairo. A free entry stamp permits movement within South Sinai only and does not allow onward travel to other Egyptian regions.
Additional required fees include $20 in cash for a letter of guarantee issued by Bright Star Tours and $35 for the Taba border exit fee.
For those considering travel into Jordan, the embassy said Americans may go to Eilat and independently cross at the Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing. King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, located about 7.5 kilometres away, operates scheduled flights, including those by Royal Jordanian Airlines.
The advisory warned of ongoing security risks, including mortar, rocket and missile fire, as well as possible drone intrusions that could occur without warning. In the event of a “red alert” siren, Americans were instructed to treat every alert as genuine, seek immediate shelter, and follow local authority guidance.
The embassy also cautioned that U.S. personnel and their families may face sudden travel restrictions, including limits on access to certain areas of Jerusalem’s Old City and parts of the West Bank.
Citizens were urged to keep mobile devices charged, identify nearby bomb shelters, stay in touch with family members, avoid demonstrations, monitor major news outlets, and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for timely updates.
“The security environment is complex and can change quickly,” the embassy stated.
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