State Department raises travel advisory level for Israel, West Bank
The State Department has raised its travel advisory level for Israel and the West Bank to "level 3 -- reconsider travel" due to terrorism and civil unrest.
"Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," an alert from the department states. "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."
Both regions were previously at "level 2 -- exercise increased caution."
The advisory also adds increased restrictions for U.S. government employees, declaring they can only travel to Israel for "mission-critical travel."
Gaza remains at "level 4 -- do not travel."
-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford