Israel/Palestinian Territories: Security forces intercept explosives shipment at Gaza crossing Nov. 22

Event

On Wednesday, November 22, Israeli security forces intercepted a shipment of explosive material at the border between Israel and Gaza. The explosive material, disguised as motor oil, was seized from a truck attempting to enter the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom crossing. According to security officials, the shipment was enough to produce dozens of tons of explosives.

Anticipate heightened security at the Israel-Gaza border.

Context

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. Tensions are particularly acute in the Gaza Strip, which has been under the control of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and subject to an Israeli-imposed blockade, since June 2007. Humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated over the past decade, including shortages of potable water and regular, widespread power cuts. The coastal enclave is one of the most densely-populated regions of the world, home to over 2 million people.

Advice

Due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers in Israel and the Palestinian Territories 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 organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.