US Embassy in Israel orders staff to shelter in place, suspends services amid tensions
Embassy will be closed Tuesday, 'given the security situation'
WASHINGTON
The US Embassy in Israel directed all US government personnel and their family members Tuesday to shelter in place "until further notice" amid rising tensions with Iran.
The embassy will be closed Tuesday, "given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance," it said.
"The U.S. Embassy is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel," it added.
It reiterated that Ben Gurion Airport remains closed and there are no commercial or charter flights operating from there. Seaports in Israel are also closed, the embassy added.
Tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes and drone attacks on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
