The US Embassy in Jerusalem has implemented temporary travel restrictions for its personnel and their families in the occupied West Bank. The measure was announced on a Monday and remains in effect through at least Wednesday, July 29.
The embassy cited heightened security concerns and increased volatility as the reasons for the restriction. It urged individuals to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations or areas with heavy police activity.
The restriction follows a surge in violence by Israeli occupiers against Palestinian residents and property. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and occupiers have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians in the West Bank.
Approximately 13,000 Palestinians have been injured in the same period, while Israeli forces have detained around 24,000 people. Some reports describe the injury count as thousands without specifying a figure.
Escalation
According to OCHA data, Israeli settlers have carried out over 1,330 attacks in approximately 250 Palestinian localities. These incidents have resulted in casualties or material damage.
As of July 20, 18 Palestinians have been killed in these attacks. On July 24, a joint Israeli army and settler attack in the village of Tel near Nablus killed four Palestinians and two Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a 'wide-scale military operation' in various villages.
Washington condemned violence by any party in the territory. The US State Department maintains regular dialogue with partners about improving stability in the region.
Since February, the US has advised citizens to reconsider travel to the West Bank, and government personnel entry required special permits. The UN considers the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, occupied Palestinian territory and states that Israeli settlement activity there is illegal under international law.