18 Jul 2017 | 07:27 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Territories: One dead, two wounded in car-ramming attack July 18
Two Israeli soldiers wounded in car-ramming attack near West Bank settlement of Beit Einun July 18; Palestinian assailant killed
Event
Security officials confirmed that an unidentified Palestinian driver rammed a vehicle into a group of Israeli soldiers near Beit Einun, West Bank, on Tuesday, July 18. The soldiers subsequently shot and killed the assailant. Two soldiers were reportedly wounded in the incident. Expect increased security measures in the area. Protests associated with the incident may also occur.
Context
At least 260 Palestinians and one Jordanian citizen have been killed since a wave of violent Palestinian street attacks began in 2015. Israel claims at least 180 of those killed were carrying out attacks, while the rest died in clashes and protests. In addition to these deaths, at least 40 Israelis, two US tourists, and one British student have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.
Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. Israel claims that these incidents are largely the result of the Palestinian Authority (PA) fueling social unrest with calls to protest, whereas Palestinians criticize what they describe as an illegal occupation by the Israeli population.
Advice
Individuals in the West Bank are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to avoid any public demonstrations due to the risk of violence.
More generally due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.
