16 Jun 2018 | 03:38 AM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Dozens of Palestinians protest along Gaza border June 15
Dozens of Palestinians protest along Gaza border June 15; Palestinian Authority Security Forces disperse protesters in Ramallah June 13
Event
Dozens of Palestinians protested along the Israel-Gaza border on Friday, June 15, in what was the lowest turnout for any turnout for the campaign since it began on March 30 amid the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the beginning of the World Cup tournament. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops fired tear gas at demonstrators, wounding several, while some protesting Palestinians attempted to fly incendiary balloons at IDF troops. Additional related demonstrations, as well as potentially deadly clashes between protesters and IDF troops, are expected along the Israel-Gaza border in the coming weeks.
In a separate incident, late on Wednesday, June 13 (local time), Palestinian Authority Security Forces forcibly dispersed protests in Ramallah; protesters were reportedly calling for the end of financial sanctions on Palestinian residents in Gaza. Additional related protests are possible in the coming days and weeks.
Context
A spike in tensions and cross-border incidents has been observed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital - a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians - and would move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The new embassy was officially opened on May 14.
Advice
Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. 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.
