Gaza conflict

After three weeks of intense fighting along the Gaza strip this January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire. Israeli troops pulled back and allowed humanitarian aid into the region. However, attacks and counterattacks continue.

An estimated 1,300 Palestinians died in the conflict, many of them civilians, and 13 Israelis were killed. The shelling and ground battles in Gaza left massive destruction in certain areas, and many smuggling tunnels into Gaza were incapacitated. At press time, the UN was pushing for more land border crossings between Israel and Gaza to reopen to allow aid and building supplies in.

The Department of State urges US citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid the Gaza Strip.