Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory 2026
Current U.S. State Department advisory
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The State Department recommends reconsidering any trip. Advisory as of February 27, 2026.
Mixed-level advisory: Reconsider Travel (Level 3) for Israel and the West Bank; Do Not Travel (Level 4) for Gaza and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian borders.
Official source: travel.state.gov
US vs UK: how the advice compares
🇺🇸 United States — travel.state.gov
Level 3 of 4 · as of February 27, 2026
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — FCDO (GOV.UK)
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Last updated June 18, 2026 · gov.uk advice
Latest UK update note: “Updated information about regional tensions and conflict affecting Israel (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).”
See all countries where the two governments disagree on the US vs UK comparison page.
Advisory level timeline
February 27, 2026 — current
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Latest official advisory as captured in our snapshot.
February 27, 2026
Advisory event — remained Level 3
The State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Mission Israel due to safety risks. The headline level for Israel and the West Bank stayed at Level 3; Gaza remains Level 4.
Source: travel.state.gov advisory update, February 27, 2026
July 2, 2025
Level 4 → Level 3 (Reconsider Travel)
After a ceasefire in the June 2025 Israel–Iran conflict, the advisory for Israel was lowered back to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), as reported in early July 2025. Gaza remained at Level 4.
Source: Public reporting (Newsweek, July 2, 2025) on travel.state.gov advisory change
June 16, 2025
Level 3 → Level 4 (Do Not Travel)
During the Israel–Iran conflict, the State Department raised Israel to Level 4 (Do Not Travel) due to armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest, and directed U.S. government employees and their families to shelter in place.
Source: travel.state.gov advisory update and U.S. Embassy Jerusalem security alert, June 16, 2025
Is Israel, the West Bank and Gaza safe? What the official advisory says
Reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest.
Do not travel to Gaza due to terrorism and armed conflict.
On February 27, 2026, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Mission Israel due to safety risks.
Condensed from the official State Department advisory of February 27, 2026 — read the full advisory before you travel.
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza travel advisory FAQ
What is the current travel advisory level for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza?
As of February 27, 2026, the U.S. State Department rates Israel, the West Bank and Gaza at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The State Department recommends reconsidering any trip.
What does Level 3 mean?
Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) — Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The State Department recommends reconsidering any trip.
When did the Israel, the West Bank and Gaza travel advisory last change?
The most recent change we have on record was on February 27, 2026: The State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Mission Israel due to safety risks. The headline level for Israel and the West Bank stayed at Level 3; Gaza remains Level 4.
Does the UK government agree with the US advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza?
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) position: Advises against all travel to parts of the country (last updated June 18, 2026). The US and UK use different systems — the US assigns a 1–4 level, while the UK either advises against travel (entirely or in part) or issues no overall warning.
Related: all Level 4 countries · all Level 3 countries · US vs UK advice