04 Jan 2018 | 10:53 AM UTC
Israel/Palestinian territories: Recurrent airstrikes in Gaza
Three rockets launched from Gaza to Israel January 3; Israel bombs several Hamas sites January 4; similar events likely to occur in the coming days and weeks
Event
On the night of January 3-4, the Israeli army conducted airstrikes on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for three guided rockets fired from Gaza on January 3. No casualties have been reported. This event comes only two days after a rocket was fired from Gaza on January 1, followed by retaliatory Israeli strikes on January 2. Similar attacks and counter-attacks are likely to continue in the coming days and weeks.
Context
Rocket fire and airstrikes between Israel and the Gaza Strip have intensified since US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6. At least 20 rockets and mortars have been fired from the Gaza Strip, systematically followed by Israeli airstrikes. Although the rockets are often fired by independent groups, the Israeli government holds Hamas responsible and hits Hamas position in retaliation.
Advice
Individuals in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to monitor developments to the situation.
A surge in anti-American and anti-Western sentiment is possible in some areas; all travelers, and Westerners in particular, are advised to maintain a low profile (do not discuss sensitive topics, do not stop to take photographs of demonstrations, etc.) and avoid unnecessary movements in the event of unrest.
More generally, due to the underlying terrorist threat, individuals are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites
deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organisations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.
