Secretary of State John Kerry has issued an urgent travel alert to U.S. citizens in Gaza, urging them to evacuate the area immediately following an escalation in tensions between Palestine and Israel.
The travel alert warns all citizens against travel to the Gaza strip, advising people that they should depart as soon as possible when the borders are open.
Zerohedge.com reports:
The announcement follows an escalation between Palestinian militants and the Israeli military over the weekend.
The security situation remains complex in Israel and the West Bank, and can change quickly depending on the political environment, recent events, and geographic location. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings when traveling to areas where there are heightened tensions and security risks. The Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority both make considerable efforts to police major tourist attractions and ensure security, particularly in areas where foreigners frequently travel. This replaces the Travel Warning issued December 15, 2015.
Gaza is under the control of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization. The security environment within Gaza and on its borders is dangerous and volatile. Violent demonstrations and shootings occur on a frequent basis and the collateral risks are high. While Israel and Hamas continue to observe the temporary cease-fire that ended the Gaza conflict in 2014, sporadic mortar or rocket fire and corresponding Israeli military response continue to occur.
Within Israel and the West Bank, a rise in political and religious tension beginning in October 2015 led to a spike in violence in which U.S. citizens were killed and wounded. There is no indication that U.S. citizens were specifically targeted based on nationality. Perceived religious affiliation was a factor in some of the attacks. Attacks were carried out using knives, vehicles, and guns. Israeli security forces reacted with deadly force, which resulted in some bystanders being injured or killed in the crossfire. While the frequency of attacks has abated significantly since April 2016, the possibility of random violence continues to exist and can happen without warning. U.S. citizens should stay abreast of current events and know what areas to avoid when traveling throughout the region.
For your safety, the Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens:
- Avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, and if you are there, leave as soon as you are able;
- Maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times;
- Avoid demonstrations – which can turn violent – and steer clear of neighborhoods where police have restricted access;
- Beware of and report unattended items or packages;
- Follow the instructions of security and emergency officials;
- Report suspicious activities or items to security officials; and
- Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter.
When planning their own travel, U.S. citizens should consider the following rules that apply to U.S. government employee travel:
- U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to Gaza;
- With the exception of Jericho, Bethlehem, and along Routes 1 and 90, U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel within the West Bank. Restrictions on personal travel by U.S. government employees may change depending on the security environment;
- All other U.S. government travel into the West Bank outside the aforementioned areas must be for official business and conducted with enhanced security measures;
- U.S. government staff take additional security precautions when visiting refugee camps and “seam areas” where Israelis and Palestinians intersect and which have historically been flashpoints for violence. For example, sites with significant religious meaning to multiple faiths can be subject to violent protests or security incidents with little to no warning, especially on or around significant religious holidays;
- U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel into Jerusalem’s Old City on Fridays during the Muslim month of Ramadan. The U.S. government occasionally restricts travel for its employees to the Old City based on the current security environment;
- U.S. government employees are prohibited from using public buses and public bus terminals throughout Israel and the West Bank; and
- U.S. government employees must provide advance notification to Embassy security officials if traveling for any reason to the following locations:
-within 7 miles of the Gaza demarcation line;
-within 1.5 miles of the Lebanon border;
-on or east of Route 98 in the Golan; and
-south of Be’er Sheva.
U.S. citizens planning to travel to Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza should consult the detailed information concerning entry and exit difficulties in the Country Specific Information (CSI). The CSI also provides detailed guidance on crime and safety conditions within Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.