Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Cross-border strikes continue March 26 /update 7

Event

Cross-border strikes by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and militants in the Gaza Strip continued into the early morning hours (local time) of Tuesday, March 26. At approximately 04:25, the IDF reported that it carried out 15 airstrikes targeting terrorist facilities in response to earlier rocket attacks. Air-raid sirens continued to sound throughout southern Israel, particularly around Eshkol regional council, around 01:30. Gazan media sources also reported IDF artillery fire near Beit Lahia and a mosque in Beit Hanoun reportedly caught fire after a nearby Hamas complex was hit by an airstrike. Further cross-border exchanges of fire are nonetheless possible over the coming hours.

Context

IDF and militants began an intense exchange of fire over the Israeli-Gazan border on Monday evening after a rocket launched from Gaza hit a home in Mishmeret (Central district), wounding seven people. Israeli jets hit Hamas targets in retaliation, destroying the office of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh; at least five Palestinians were wounded in the offensive. The IDF has also sent two additional brigades to augment its Gaza division amid the escalation.

In general, rocket fire and strikes between Israel and the Gaza Strip have intensified since early December 2017. Hundreds of rockets and mortars have been fired from the Gaza Strip, often followed by retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.

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.