Israel/Palestine Terr.: Erez border crossing partially reopens Sep. 6

Event

On Thursday, September 6, Israeli authorities announced that the Erez border crossing point in northern Gaza Strip had partially reopened. According to local sources, medical patients, journalists and Palestinians from the West Bank were allowed to cross the border into the Gaza Strip.

Context

Israeli authorities closed the Erez crossing point on September 5 following a series of violent demonstrations held on September 4, to denounce an announcement by the United States that it would end all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence weekly since March 30 in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed "The Great March of Return." More than 170 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed in border clashes since the protests began.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments and to avoid all protests and demonstrations due to the persistent risk of violence. 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.