Is chaos looming? America is evacuating people from its embassy

Hakabi stated in an email sent this morning at 10:24 local time that employees and their family members who wish to leave “should do so today,” according to the New York Times, citing three sources that confirmed the authenticity of the message.

“Focus on securing a route to any destination from which you can continue to Washington, but the priority is to leave the country as soon as possible,” Hakabi wrote, adding that “there is no reason to panic,” but emphasizing that departures should be planned “as soon as possible.”

At the same time, the U.S. Embassy in Israel announced that the State Department has authorized the departure of U.S. government employees who are not engaged in emergency duties, as well as their family members from the Israel Mission, due to security risks.

In a post on the social media platform X, the U.S. Embassy also noted that, in response to security incidents and without prior notice, it may further restrict or prohibit movement for U.S. personnel and their families in certain parts of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

U.S. citizens have been advised to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are still available.