Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israel conducts airstrike in Gaza Strip June 13-14 /update 1

Event

Israeli jets conducted retaliatory airstrikes in the Gaza Strip overnight June 13-14, following a cross-border rocket attack fired earlier from Gaza. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrikes targeted Hamas military sites. No injuries have been reported.

Further Gazan missile launches targeting Israel are possible over the coming hours, as well as Israeli military reprisals on suspected Gazan militant installations.

Context

The retaliatory airstrike was carried out after a rocket was fired from Gaza into Sderot in Israel at approximately 20:58 (local time) on Thursday, June 13, hitting a school and damaging the building. A similar cross-border rocket attack fired from Gaza and targeting the Eshkol Regional Council in Israel took place a day prior, followed by retaliatory airstrikes by the IDF on the Gaza strip.

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.