(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The US warned Monday its citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to "ongoing hostilities" and recommended that US citizens "consider the deferral of non-essential travel to Israel and the West Bank." The State Department said in a travel warning that "the security environment remains complex in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, and US citizens need to be aware of the risks of travel to these areas because of the current conflict between Hamas and Israel." It added that the "Department of State continues its longstanding strong warning to US citizens against travel to the Gaza Strip; US government employees are not allowed to conduct official or personal travel there." It indicated "the US Embassy in Tel Aviv and its annexes are currently operating at reduced staffing and the Consular Section of the Embassy is providing only emergency consular services." "Travelers should avoid areas of Israel in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip due to the real risks presented by small arms fire, anti-tank weapons, rockets, and mortars, as attacks from Gaza can come with little or no warning," it warned. It noted "we are not evacuating US citizens out of Israel."
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