"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," read the travel alert issued by the US State Department.

"On, October 17, 2023, the Department authorized the voluntary, temporary departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel from U.S. Embassy Beirut due to the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon," read the advisory.

At least 500 people are believed to have died after a blast ripped through Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday (October 17).

Gaza's health ministry said the airstrike was carried out by Israel while the Israeli military said the Islamic Jihad organisation is responsible for the "failed shooting" that targeted Israel, Xinhua reported.

A doctor, who was present in the hospital at the time of the blast, told BBC there was total devastation at the scene of the attack - where some 4,000 displaced persons were seeking refuge.

Israel Defense Forces denied the country's involvement in the incident and posted on X: "Following an analysis by the IDF's operational systems, a barrage of rockets was launched toward Israel, which passed in the vicinity of the hospital, when it was hit."

IDF claimed Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation was behind the blast.