More than half of world's countries pose heightened risks for American travelers: State Department
US State Department issues new 'worldwide caution' warning
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}More than half of the countries across the globe now pose heightened risks for Americans, the State Department says, as it issued another "worldwide caution" this week for travelers as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.
The State Department’s travel advisory system rates countries on a level of 1 to 4 based on the risks Americans face while visiting them.
As of Friday, 21 countries have earned the "Level 4: Do Not Travel" rating, while 20 are at "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" and more than 70 are at "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Among the countries that pose the greatest threats to Americans’ safety is Lebanon, which borders Israel to the north.
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Riot police use tear gas against protesters during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, near the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, a northern suburb of Beirut, on Oct. 18. (AP/Hassan Ammar)
"Do not travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah or other armed militant factions," the State Department warns. "Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The State Department also is urging any Americans to reconsider travel to Israel due to "terrorism and civil unrest."
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A pro-Palestinian demonstrator burns a banner with the colors of the Israeli flag during a protest against Israel near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 18. Turkey has a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" rating from the State Department for American travelers. (REUTERS/Umit Bektas)
The announcements come as the State Department on Thursday issued another "worldwide caution" for Americans traveling internationally or overseas.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," it said.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London on Oct. 9. (Leila Dougan/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
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The message urged American travelers to "stay alert in locations frequented by tourists."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Gillian Turner contributed to this report.