Israel, PT: Tensions likely to remain elevated in East Jerusalem and West Bank through at least late May /update 4

Event

Tensions are likely to remain elevated in East Jerusalem and the West Bank through at least late May following a recent series of deadly attacks, clashes, and Israeli security operations in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The spate of attacks in Israel began in March and has resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people; a shooting attack also killed an Israeli security guard outside Israel's West Bank settlement of Ariel April 29.

Israel has launched numerous security raids in the West Bank in response; Israeli security forces have reportedly killed more than two dozen Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in recent weeks. Among the most significant clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians have been those at the Temple Mount/Al-Haram ash-Sharif compound, with Israeli security forces wounding hundreds of Palestinians at the flashpoint religious site amid the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Palestinian demonstrations are likely over the coming weeks, particularly in the West Bank, to denounce Israeli security operations, associated clashes, and the arrests and killings of Palestinians in the territory. An uptick in armed Palestinian attacks against Israeli individuals and interests is also possible in the West Bank following a recent call by Hamas leaders for such violence. For their part, Israeli settlers may stage further demonstrations and clash with Palestinian communities in the West Bank, triggering retaliatory Palestinian attacks near Israeli settlements. Additionally, a significant cross-border exchange between Israeli forces and Gaza-based militants is possible if levels of Israeli-Palestinian violence remain high in East Jerusalem and the West Bank over the coming weeks.

Context

This most recent bout of Israeli-Palestinian violence started ahead of and escalated amid a rare confluence of religious observances in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Muslim month of Ramadan started April 2, while the weeklong Jewish period of Passover began April 15.The celebration of Easter among Catholic and Protestant Christians took place April 17, and Orthodox Easter April 24.

Flashpoint areas for the recent violence have included parts of Jerusalem's Old City (including the Temple Mount/Al-Haram ash-Sharif compound, Damascus Gate, Lion's Gate, Herod's Gate, and Chain Gate), as well as Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, Palestinian refugee camps, and Israeli checkpoints and settlements in the West Bank.

The recent violence notably triggered an exchange of fire across the Israel-Gaza border in April - the most significant since the May 2021 conflagration. Gaza-based militants fired multiple rockets toward Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against militant targets.

Advice

Exercise caution while operating in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Avoid all demonstrations. Seek updated information on security conditions and possible movement restrictions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank before traveling. Heed the advice of local authorities. Avoid loitering near security checkpoints and main entrances to hotels, restaurants, or government buildings. Do not attempt to bypass security checkpoints without authorities' permission.