(WDNews) – The U.S. Department of State has begun organizing assisted departure flights for American citizens currently in Israel, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee made the announcement Saturday on X, stating, “If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident currently in Israel or the West Bank and seeking U.S. government assistance to depart, please complete this form so the Department of State can better assist you.” The link to the crisis intake form is: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.
This move follows days of confusion. On June 18, Huckabee said the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem was coordinating evacuation flights and cruise ship departures for Americans. However, the State Department later clarified there were no official evacuation plans at that time. The next day, U.S. citizens registered with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) were informed that plans were underway and that they should fill out the online form if they needed help leaving.
Israel remains under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest. Ben Gurion International Airport is currently closed, and many commercial flights have been canceled.
In the meantime, private efforts have stepped in. Birthright Israel confirmed it evacuated about 1,500 participants via a cruise ship from Ashdod Port to Cyprus. Several charter flights, including those organized by nonprofit groups and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have already brought evacuees back to the U.S., with some landing in Tampa on Friday.
Others left the country by crossing the border into Jordan and flying out from Amman.
At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have died in Iran due to missile strikes since the conflict began. The U.S. State Department confirmed that several U.S. citizens were lightly wounded in an Iranian missile strike, though further details were withheld.
Missle attacks in IsraelPresident Donald Trump has stated he may join Israel’s military efforts to target Iranian nuclear sites. A decision on U.S. military involvement is expected within two weeks.
