Fact Check: U.S. begins evacuating citizens from Israel amid escalating conflict.

Fact Check: U.S. begins evacuating citizens from Israel amid escalating conflict

What We Know

On October 13, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a Security Alert confirming that the U.S. government had begun offering departure assistance to American citizens in Israel due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The alert indicated that commercial flight options were extremely limited, and some U.S. citizens had successfully departed into Jordan via border crossings. The U.S. government is facilitating transportation for citizens to leave Israel by air or sea, with departure assistance starting on the same day.

The alert also stated that U.S. citizens wishing to leave must complete a crisis intake form and that the government would assign transportation to the next available departure, which may not necessarily return them directly to the United States. This assistance is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens amid escalating violence in the region.

Analysis

The claim that the U.S. has begun evacuating citizens from Israel is supported by official communications from the U.S. Embassy, which is a credible source. The Security Alert explicitly mentions the initiation of departure assistance and outlines the procedures for U.S. citizens seeking to leave. This aligns with the U.S. government's established protocols for assisting citizens during international crises, as detailed in a Congressional Research Service report that discusses the evacuation of U.S. citizens abroad during conflicts.

Additionally, other credible sources, such as news reports, corroborate the embassy's statements. For instance, a report from the Associated Press notes that the White House is engaged in "prudent contingency planning" for evacuations in the region, indicating a proactive approach to ensure citizen safety amid the conflict (source-7).

However, it is important to assess the potential biases of the sources. The U.S. Embassy and government reports are official communications, which may emphasize the government's actions positively. Nonetheless, the urgency and clarity of the alerts suggest a genuine attempt to assist citizens in a volatile situation.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. has begun evacuating citizens from Israel amid escalating conflict is True. The U.S. Embassy's Security Alert clearly outlines the initiation of departure assistance for U.S. citizens, confirming that the government is actively facilitating their evacuation from the region. This is consistent with established procedures for U.S. citizen safety during international crises.

Fact Check: U.S. begins evacuating citizens from Israel amid escalating conflict.