Israel/Palestinian Territories: Exchange of fire on Israel Gaza border July 22-23 /update 9

Event

Fire was exchanged between Israeli security forces and Hamas in Israel and Gaza over the weekend of July 22-23. On Saturday night, July 22, and Sunday night, July 23, projectile rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. Israeli forces responded with tank fire on Hamas positions in the Khan Younis area, in the south of the Palestinian enclave. No causalities have been reported from these incidents. Israeli forces also carried out raids and 29 arrests of Palestinians across East Jerusalem and the West Bank on Saturday, July 22.

In Jerusalem, following the controversial installation of metal detectors at the entrance of Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) after the deadly July 14 attack, the Israeli government announced it was considering security alternatives such as surveillance cameras. On Friday, July 21, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced he would freeze ties with Israel "on all levels" until the security measures were lifted. Further clashes in Jerusalem are possible in the coming days.

Context

Tensions are running high following one of the most serious incidents in Jerusalem in recent years. Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) was shut down for the first time in 48 years on July 14, after three Arab-Israeli gunmen attacked a group of police officers near the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, killing two; the attackers were shot and killed at the scene. The site was reopened the following day after increased security measures were implemented by Israeli authorities. On July 19, hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police near the holy site in Jerusalem after the politcal party Fatah called for a "day of rage." On Friday, July 21, clashes with security forces resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, and wounded many others. Three Israelis were also stabbed to death hours later in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank by a Palestinian national who had evaded checkpoints.

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. 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 177 of those killed were carrying out attacks, while the rest died in clashes and protests. In addition to these deaths, 40 Israelis, two US tourists, and one British student have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.

Advice

Individuals in Jerusalem are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all 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.