Israel/Palestinian Territories: Clashes in Hebron leave one dead March 9 /update 5

Event

Clashes erupted between Palestinian protesters and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in Hebron on Friday, March 9, leaving one Palestinian protester dead. The demonstrator was reportedly shot by IDF personnel as he was about to throw a Molotov cocktail at the soldiers. Additionally, at least four Palestinian protesters were wounded in the Gaza Strip in related protests on Friday, according to the Gazan health ministry. Additional clashes are possible in Hebron and elsewhere in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks.

Context

Mass protests have taken place in the Palestinian Territories on a regular basis since US President Donald Trump announced the US's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017. The March 9 protests marked the 14th consecutive Friday on which such protests have been held. On February 23, American officials announced that the Embassy will open in a temporary location in Jerusalem by mid-May of 2018, ahead of the anticipated schedule.

At least 30 Palestinians have been killed and thousands wounded in clashes with Israeli forces since the December 6 announcement.

Advice

Individuals in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence. A surge in anti-American and anti-Western sentiment is to be anticipated in some areas; all travelers, and Westerners in particular, are advised to maintain a low profile (do not discuss sensitive topics, do not stop to take photographs of demonstrations, etc.) and avoid unnecessary movements in the event of unrest.

More generally, 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 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 Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.