Assisting and Evacuating U.S. Citizens Abroad During the Israel-Hamas Conflict and Other International Crises

The U.S. Department of State (DOS; the Department) has long provided consular services to American citizens around the world pursuant to laws passed by Congress. Such services include disseminating information regarding any major disaster or incident abroad affecting the safety of U.S. citizens and, when their lives are endangered by such crises, facilitating their safe and efficient evacuation.

Members of Congress have conducted oversight of DOS’s consular response and in some cases called on the Department to consider providing additional services to facilitate the departure of U.S. citizens, including U.S. government charter flights and military resources.