Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Gaza militants and Israel exchange fire June 2 /update 9

Event

Suspected militants in the Gaza Strip and Israeli forces exchanged fire late on Saturday, June 2 (local time), over the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Militants reportedly fired at least five rockets at Israel; Israeli forces subsequently targeted Hamas positions in retaliatory airstrikes. No casualties were immediately reported. Additional cross-border clashes are expected between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip in the coming days and weeks.

Context

A spike in tensions and cross-border incidents has been observed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital - a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians - and would move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The new embassy was officially opened on May 14.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. Due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Some 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.