U.S. withdraws 120 troops from Israel

May 16, 2021 Carley Shaffer US 0

US soldiers disembark the Boeing 747-400 "Atlas Air" upon their arrival at Sarajevo International Airport on May 15, 2021. - American soldiers arrived in Sarajevo on a civilian plane from the USA, flying over Germany, and were immediately escorted by members of the Military Police of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the training ground of the AF BiH Manjaca. A total of about 500 members of the AF BiH and about 700 American soldiers will participate in the exercise "Quick Response 21" at the Glamoc, Manjaca training grounds and the barracks and Dubrava airport near Tuzla. (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP) (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty Images)

US soldiers disembark the Boeing 747-400 “Atlas Air” upon their arrival at Sarajevo International Airport on May 15, 2021. (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP) (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:25 AM PT – Sunday, May 16, 2021

The U.S. has decided to withdraw 120 troops from Israel amid the increase of violence throughout the region involving an abundance of rocket exchanges.

The Pentagon announced the news on Thursday, citing recent missile strikes and lack of commercial flights as catalysts for the decision. Pentagon officials have said the move was ordered out of extreme caution.

U.S. military troops were in Israel for an upcoming military exercise, but have since been flown into Germany to await their impending journey home. The withdrawal comes days after Israel announced they had deployed ground forces near the Gaza Strip to quell the violence between Israel and Palestine.

.@SecBlinken discusses the situation in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza: “We will continue to engage with Israelis, Palestinians, and other regional partners to urge deescalation and to bring calm.” pic.twitter.com/EwtVIugGae

— Department of State (@StateDept) May 12, 2021

A warning has been issued to Americans which suggests they reconsider travel to Israel during this time. The State Department has raised its travel advisory from a Level 2 to a Level 3.