Israel/Palestinian Terr.: IDF targets 25 Hamas positions in Gaza June 20 /update 11

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on 25 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Wednesday, June 20 (local time), after suspected Hamas militants launched some 45 rockets and mortar shells at Israeli territory. At least three Palestinians were wounded from the retaliatory airstrikes; no Israelis were wounded in the initial volley from Gaza. Hamas did not immediately claim responsibility for the rocket and mortar fire. Additional cross-border fire is possible between the IDF and Hamas in the coming 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.