Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Palestinian militants killed in IDF strike in Gaza Aug. 7 /update 7

Event

Two Hamas militants were killed during a tank strike carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in northern Gaza on Tuesday, August 7. The armed wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed that two 23-year-old Brigade members were killed in the attack. According to released IDF footage, the tank fired at a Hamas position after the two men fired upon IDF soldiers. No IDF or civilian casualties were reported in the incident.

Context

Weekly demonstrations have been held at the Gazan border with Israel since March 30. The weekly protests are part of a "Great March of Return" movement that aims to assert Palestinian claim of the "right to return" to pre-1948 lands, which Israel rejects. Gazans are also protesting the land and sea blockade and the recent US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel has also accused Hamas of using the protests as cover for assaults on the border fence or as distractions to launch land or rocket attacks on Israeli positions. The violence this year has been the most intense since the 2014 Gaza War, with 156 Palestinians killed and around 15,000 wounded along with the death of one IDF soldier and 11 Israeli soldiers and civilians wounded.

Hamas and Israeli officials are currently negotiating in Egypt, with Hamas recently announcing they were willing to stop the protests and cease their incendiary kite campaign in exchange for two land border crossings and an easing of restrictions on goods and travel. No firm commitments have been agreed to by either side.

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.