The United States warned its citizens to defer traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza on Friday, August 10, due to a heightened threat of terrorist attacks.
The State Department travel warning was issued a day after 15 civilians were killed by a militant Palestinian suicide bomber who walked into a Jerusalem pizza restaurant and blew himself up.
It also followed Israeli reprisal raid on Palestinian targets in the West Bank. "There is a heightened threat of terrorist incidents in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza," the warning said. "Further, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains extremely volatile with continuing confrontations and clashes."
The department also warned US citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to avoid shopping areas, malls, restaurants, cafes and bus stops — all possible targets for terrorist action. ― (AFP, Washington)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
