By FrumNews.com
The U.S. State Department announced that it started evacuating “non-emergency government personnel” from its embassy in Israel due to increased “safety risks” amid growing tensions with Iran.
Only non-essential staff are being evacuated; the embassy will remain operational. The ambassador, diplomats, and U.S. personnel handling security, military, political, intelligence, and citizen assistance will remain.
“On February 27, 2026, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of U.S. government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks,” the embassy said on its website.
It follows the previous evacuation from Beirut, Lebanon, of all non-essential staff and their family members.
It follows the pattern of evacuating embassies ahead of expected military campaigns—such as ahead of the 12-day campaign against Iran last summer—and with growing tensions, the evacuation signals an imminent attack on the Iranian regime may be on the horizon.
According to reports, Ambassador Mike Huckabee wrote in a message to embassy staff that whoever wants to leave the country should do so by Friday.
The evacuation is only for non-essential staff, and the embassy will continue operating. The ambassador, diplomats and U.S. personnel working on assistance to U.S. citizens, security, military, political and intelligence affairs will stay in the country.