The United States Department of State issued a warning for Americans traveling aboard. This is 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 advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution and told U.S. citizens to
• Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
The issuance of the alert is a significant message amid protests that have erupted throughout the Middle East in response to the Israel-Hamas War.
Travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport say they are not worried.
"I feel really bad with what is going on, but I don't feel unsafe traveling or anything," says John Lytle, who is traveling to Paris.
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told CNN on Thursday that a number of factors are being taken into consideration when making that determination to issue a worldwide alert.