US pulls 'non-essential' embassy staff, families out of 'Israel'
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Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova raised questions about US accountability for actions and provocations in the region.
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The American and Israeli flags are waved during a rally supporting "Israel" at Freedom Plaza, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The US State Department granted permission for "non-essential" staff members and their families in "Israel" to depart the country due to present and expected security risks.
"The Department authorized the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from US Embassy Jerusalem and U.S. Branch Office Tel Aviv due to the unpredictable security situation in Israel," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The State Department additionally cautioned that there are ongoing plans for potential attacks across "Israel," the occupied West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, with potential targets including tourist destinations, transportation facilities, shopping centers, and local government buildings.
Commenting on the matter, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram: "The US State Department has cleared American government employees and their families in Israel to leave the country amid an "unprecedented security situation." The guarantor of security in the region has brought the security situation to the point of no return. And again, no one in Washington will answer for their atrocities, provocations, and staging?"
UPDATE: STATE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES AMERICANS STUCK IN ISRAEL WITH (LITTLE) MORE DETAIL, REITERATES THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY AND ARE AGAIN ON THEIR OWN ONCE THEY GET DUMPED IN CYPRUS, GREECE, OR GERMANY. https://t.co/Trs1EOylYa pic.twitter.com/JBopXJ9Qfv
— The Meturgeman (@HaMeturgeman) October 12, 2023
Read more: Amnesty challenges IOF denial of white phosphorus use with evidence
Since the escalations began, several airlines have suspended their flights heading to the occupied territories, including "Tel Aviv's" Ben Gurion International Airport, "Israel's" primary international airport.
Ben Gurion Airport is located just outside of "Tel Aviv", where there were audible explosions when the resistance operation began. Some flights were rerouted to alternative airports, as indicated by FlightRadar24.
Several evacuation operations have already been carried out, including ones made by India and Australia.
#OperationAjay
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 13, 2023
Flight #2 carrying 235 Indian nationals takes off from Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/avrMHAJrT4
On the other hand, the Israeli occupation army said in a statement on Friday that 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza must evacuate within the next 24 hours, hinting at plans to start a much-feared ground invasion of the devastated Strip that has been under nonstop bombing since last Saturday.
Hamas’ media office later announced that warplanes struck cars fleeing south, killing more than 70 people.
Read more: Resistance ready for months-long war, less than 10% of missiles used
