The US State Department has issued a worldwide travel advisory as tensions have been flaring throughout various regions worldwide. There has also been an increased risk for Americans who live and work abroad. Currently, there are 8.7 million Americans who live overseas and will be affected by the advisory.

There is a high risk of terrorist attacks and violent demonstrations against Americans and their interests. The State Department asks for overseas citizens to exercise extreme caution when out.

There have been protests and demonstrations at the American Embassy throughout the Middle East, which could pose a danger to Americans working inside. This is a reason why the Department put the advisory into place. There have also been increased tensions in cities worldwide due to the crisis in the Levant with Israel, Palestine, and a few third-party combatants like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Citizens have been advised to stay alert in areas frequented by tourists, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and follow the state departments on social media to stay updated. The STEP will help citizens receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you if there is an emergency overseas.

In the Middle East, flights will depart from the Ben Gurion airport through the 22nd of October for US citizens in Israel. The Department also said if you can safely cross the border into Jordan, then citizens should take advantage of it. Citizens who are in Lebanon and Israel should depart immediately as several government families are leaving the area.

If you are overseas and need to contact the State Department, you can do so in a few ways. The State Department and Consular Affairs numbers are 1-833-890-9595 (toll-free) and +1-606-641-0131. If you are a US citizen in Israel, call the number (03-519-7426); if you are a citizen in Lebanon, call the number (961-4-543 600). Once again, if any citizen needs assistance, call one of those numbers to contact the State Department and Consular Affairs.