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The State Department said Friday it is providing “information and support” to more than 25,000 people in Israel, the West Bank or Iran, and seeking guidance on what to do and how to go out.
When pressed on the issue during a State Department briefing Friday afternoon, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to give further details on how many of the 25,000 people are American citizens or other breakdowns.
News of the number of people supported by the State Department comes after the agency announced the establishment of a task force to assist Americans seeking to leave Israel or other Middle Eastern countries.
Bruce said in a press conference Friday that the US is not planning to help transport American citizens directly from Iran, and that it must first be made before receiving government support.
Tugboats, cruise ships, flights: Israel begins emergency evacuation of citizens amid Iran’s war
The first group of Bulgarian citizens, along with dozens of foreigners from Slovenia, the United States, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and Romania, fled Israel and arrived at Vasil Lebsky Airport in Sofia on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Israeli US ambassador Mike Huckabee said earlier this week that the Jerusalem embassy is “working on evacuation flights and departures of cruise ships” for Americans seeking to leave Israel.
Huckabee issued his statement after the US Embassy in Jerusalem wrote in his own X-Post that “at this time there are no announcements about supporting US citizens to depart,” but also acknowledged that “the State Department is always planning contingencies to support private US citizens departing from areas of crisis.”
So far, the US has not made a massive effort to help Americans get out of Israel. However, according to ABC News, the military helped fly some of American diplomats and families from the US embassy this week.
1,500 Jewish Americans have been evacuated from Israel to help DeSantis sponsor rescue a flight to Tampa
Polish and Austrian citizens will gather at a hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel, for evacuation during Iran’s attacks in Israel on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
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Private flights for American citizens began landing in Florida after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dispatched four planes to welcome US citizens stuck in Israel during ongoing violence. Other private options are available to help you get out of Israel.
On Monday, the State Department raised Israel’s travel warning to the highest possible level.
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