Please use your judgment and follow updates.
On October 7, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing more than 1,500 people and abducting 200, including the elderly, women, and children. In retaliation, Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza and vowed to wipe them out. Air strikes continue in Gaza and the Palestinian death toll has risen to around 3,000.
Hamas, which the United States and the European Union officially recognize as a terrorist organization, has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. After initially cutting off all supplies to the blockaded region, Israel last week ordered over 1 million people living in the north of Gaza to move south. Gaza is running out of food and medical supplies. Humanitarian aid hasn’t been allowed to enter, and people–including foreign nationals–haven’t been permitted to cross the border into Egypt.
Many commercial airlines suspended flights to Israel after the war began. Cruises have also canceled port stops. The United States elevated the travel warning to Israel and the West Bank to Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
Yesterday, an explosion at a hospital in Gaza City killed 500. Hamas has blamed Israel, and Israel has provided evidence it was the result of a rogue missile fired by Islamic Jihad, which is aligned with Hamas; the U.S. officials agree with the Israeli assessment. Still, the blast has further intensified the situation, with large protests occurring throughout the Middle East.
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Given the current crisis, if you plan to travel to the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) you should follow the advice of the U.S. State Department.
Here is the current general guidance regarding safety. Remember that the information can change without warning.
Related: Should You Travel to Israel Right Now?
Countries That Are Safe for Travel
Turkey: The country that straddles Asia and Europe is far away from the conflict—by 500 miles or more. It’s currently at a Level 2: Exercise Caution, which is similar to most countries throughout Europe. Turkey shares a border with Syria, and the State Department warns against traveling to the border regions and provides and cautions against terrorism. Still, Turkey is currently considered safe for tourists.
Bahrain: Bahrain is also far from the war and travel is not currently affected. The U.S. State Department has a Level 2: Exercise Caution warning for Bahrain, but it is generally a safe destination.
Kuwait: One of the few countries to be on Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, Kuwait has some risky areas, such as the desert region close to the Iraq border, which are best avoided.
Oman: Although generally considered safe, Oman shares a border with Yemen, and this area can be risky due to terrorist attacks and armed conflicts. Oman is currently at a Level 2: Exercise Caution.
Qatar: Also at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, Qatar is safe for travelers. The Prime Minister is actively working as a mediator to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas war.
United Arab Emirates: If you’re thinking of going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, there’s no need to rethink your trip. The country is not affected by the Israel-Hamas war and the Emirates are generally considered safe. It is currently at Level 2: Exercise Caution. The U.S. State Department notes that there is a possibility of attacks from militant groups in Yemen.
Cyprus: Many people from Israel have been fleeing to Cyprus. It remains at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, and the U.S. hasn’t issued any warnings. It did, however, release a regional security alert informing people in the region to be cautious, and if they need assistance, they should contact the embassy. It’s also worth noting that the northern part of Cyprus, “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”), is controlled by Turkish Cypriots, but it’s not recognized by the U.S. or the U.K. Should you travel to the country, it’s important to only enter and exit from the Republic of Cyprus.
Countries That Require Extra Precaution
Egypt: The U.S. State Department has had a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning for Egypt since July. The country shares a border with Gaza, however they have not permitted Palestinians to leave Gaza, or humanitarian aid to enter the Strip via the Rafah Crossing in North Sinai. Flights are still operational to Egypt, but you should avoid travel to the border areas, the Sinai Peninsula (except for Sharm-el-Sheikh), and the Western Desert.
The U.K.’s Foreign Office also discourages all travel within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the border with Libya, as well as North Sinai; South Sinai and west of the Nile Valley are under an “essential travel only” warning.
Jordan: Jordan shares a border with Israel. The Jordanian tourism board has reassured travelers that it is welcoming tourists. The State Department has kept it at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, but some areas (including the border with Syria, refugee camps, and Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the neighborhood of Ayn Basha) are off-limits. The U.K. also discourages all travel within three kilometers (1.8 miles) of the Syrian border and asks citizens to stay away from demonstrations.
Algeria: Although Algeria is on a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution warning, the U.S. State Department suggests staying clear of the Sahara Desert and the eastern and southern borders due to terrorism and kidnapping. The U.K. Foreign Office explicitly warns against traveling within 30 kilometers of the borders with Libya, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Tunisia.
Saudi Arabia: The U.S. State Department has had a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning for Saudi Arabia since July. The U.S. warns, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has supplied Yemen-based Houthis and other regional proxy groups with weapons to conduct destructive and sometimes lethal attacks using drones, missiles, and rockets against a variety of Saudi sites, including critical infrastructure, civilian airports, military bases, and energy facilities throughout the country, as well as vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes.” The U.K. echoes this advice.
Tunisia: Tunisia is currently at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Cation warning, however, there are parts of the country that should be avoided, including the border with Libya, the Chambi Mountain National Park, Sidi Bou Zid in Central Tunisia, among others. The U.K. warns, “Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out further attacks in Tunisia, including against U.K. and Western interests. There have been a number of self-initiated attacks in 2023.”
Morocco: Morocco is also at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. But the U.S. State Department has warned of protests in the country and recommends that “U.S. citizens avoid demonstrations and crowds, stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, and be prepared to adjust travel plans.”
Do Not Currently Travel to These Countries
Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank: The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Israel on October 14, 2023, due to risks of terrorism and civil unrest. Israel and the West Bank were elevated to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, while Gaza is at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Additionally, there has been a reduction in flights, and normal tourist operations may not be functional. Those who need assistance from the State Department in any of these regions can fill out this form.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the U.K. has also advised against all travel to Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, while only essential travel is advised for Israel.
Lebanon: Lebanon shares its southern border with Israel, and that region is largely under the control of Hezbollah, and backed by Iran. Tension between Hezbollah and Israel has been escalating, and both have launched rockets across their borders. A Reuters journalist was killed during an airstrike. There is growing concern that the Israel-Hamas war could grow into a regional conflict, with fighting in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
The hospital blast in Gaza City has led to large demonstrations in Beirut and outside the American Embassy. On October 17, the U.S. State Department updated its travel warning to Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Syria: Syria has been engaged in a civil war since 2011. The United States continues to place it at a Level 4: Do Not Travel. There remains a strong risk of terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, kidnapping, and detention. “Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence,” the State Department says. In October, Syria claimed that Israel stuck two of its airports and caused them to shut down.
Iran: Iran is also at Level 4: Do Not Travel. The country, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, has warned of action against Israel. The U.S. currently has no diplomatic relations with Iran, so emergency services cannot be provided to Americans. Both the U.S. and the U.K. warn that Iran could unjustly detain and imprison travelers, and it doesn’t recognize dual citizenship.
Iraq: Iraq remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel. The U.S. warns against terrorist attacks in the country. “U.S. citizens should especially avoid areas near armed groups in northern Iraq, which have been targeted with aerial strikes by neighboring countries’ militaries.”
Libya: Both the U.S. and the U.K. advise citizens to avoid all travel to Libya. It is at Level 4: Do Not Travel. The country has active extremist groups who conduct attacks and kidnappings. Even the air space is out of bounds for U.S. commercial airlines.
Yemen: The U.S. government also advises against travel to Yemen, which is at Level 4: Do Not Travel due to terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict. The embassy in Sana’a has been suspended since 2015 and the State Department cannot offer aid to American citizens.”There is a very high risk of kidnapping, and detention of U.S. citizens in Yemen, particularly dual-national Yemeni-Americans. Rebel groups in Sana’a have detained U.S. citizens, including dual Yemeni-American citizens. U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, have faced difficulty–including lengthy delays–when attempting to depart Yemen.”