After tensions between Israel and Palestine have ramped this week, American citizens were urged to reconsider their travel plans to Israel by the US State Department on Thursday.

Out of a maximum degree of four, the travel advisory level was boosted by US authorities to three in an attempt to limit US citizens planning to travel to Israel.

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The State Department’s statement read, “Reconsider travel to Israel due to armed conflict and civil unrest. Rockets continue to impact the Gaza periphery and areas across Southern and Central Israel, including Jerusalem.”

It added, “There has been a marked increase in protests and violence throughout Israel”, reported AFP.

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Washington was also advising that Americans “do not travel” to Gaza due to “COVID-19, terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict,” as well as avoiding the West Bank due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

US State Department issued the travel advisory parallel to the flaring up of the Israel-Palestine conflict as the Jewish state has mobilised troops at the border.