WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. citizens are called on to leave Gaza Strip immediately and be on high alert when traveling to Israel or the West Bank, the U.S. State Department advised.
A cease-fire backed by leaders from the militant Islamic Jihad appeared to be holding in Gaza after a rockets were fired into Israel territory last week.
In a travel warning, the State Department called on U.S. citizens in Gaza to leave immediately through the Rafah crossing to Egypt.
"The security environment within Gaza, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile," the statement read. "Small clashes continue to occur along the boundary of the Gaza Strip."
The advisory mentioned similar concerns about Israel and the West Bank.
The warning comes as European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton signed a $46 million finance agreement for border-crossing and water infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"The EU has repeatedly called for the opening of the crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza," Ashton said in a statement.
Leave Gaza Strip, U.S. tells citizens - UPI.com
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