Country Risk Report
Palestine
Ramallah (administrative); East Jerusalem (claimed)
Arabic (official)
Israeli new shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar also used
Executive Summary
Palestine, comprising the Gaza Strip and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, is classified as an EXTREME risk destination. In Gaza, a ceasefire has been in place since October 2025 under a US-brokered framework endorsed by the UN Security Council, but it is fragile and repeatedly violated. Israeli strikes, shelling and gunfire have continued, killing over a thousand Palestinians since the ceasefire began, and the Israeli military has continued to hold and expand control over a majority of the territory. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are catastrophic. Nearly the entire population, around 2.1 million people, is displaced, reconstruction needs are assessed at more than 71 billion US dollars, and unexploded ordnance, destroyed infrastructure, disease risk and restrictions on aid and dual-use items severely constrain daily life. A transitional governance structure, including an international Board of Peace and a Palestinian technocratic committee, is being established, and Hamas disarmament and an international stabilisation force remain unresolved. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the situation is deteriorating, with intensifying Israeli settlement expansion, settler violence, military operations and de facto annexation measures. Cover is available on request only and is situation dependent given the fragile ceasefire and volatile conditions.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | Extreme | Fragile Gaza ceasefire with continued strikes; unresolved disarmament risks renewed war. |
| Terrorism | High | Armed-group activity and militant threats persist alongside continued hostilities. |
| Kidnapping | High | Risk of abduction and detention amid conflict, and detention at Israeli-controlled crossings. |
| Crime | Moderate | Collapsed order in Gaza and looting risk; opportunistic crime amid the crisis. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Protests, unrest and settler violence, particularly in the West Bank. |
| Health & Medical | Extreme | Gaza's health system is devastated. Serious cases require difficult evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | Extreme | Crossings, checkpoints, UXO and military control make movement extremely dangerous. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Surveillance and monitoring; connectivity in Gaza is damaged and intermittent. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Palestine is a high-threat environment across both territories. Gaza is under a fragile ceasefire after devastating war, with continued Israeli strikes and majority Israeli control of the territory, while the West Bank and East Jerusalem face intensifying settlement expansion, settler violence and military operations.
The Gaza Strip
The West Bank
East Jerusalem
Crossings and Border Points
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
Gaza's ceasefire since October 2025 has reduced large-scale bombardment but is fragile and repeatedly violated, with continued strikes and unresolved disarmament and governance questions that could trigger renewed war. The West Bank sees recurrent Israeli military operations.
Gaza remains in a state of suspended conflict, with continued strikes and majority Israeli control.
The West Bank sees frequent, sometimes deadly Israeli military operations.
East Jerusalem sees periodic clashes and security operations.
Crossings are affected by the wider conflict and can close entirely.
Terrorism
Armed-group activity persists in Gaza despite the ceasefire, and the West Bank sees militant activity alongside Israeli operations and settler violence. The threat environment remains volatile and politically charged.
Gaza sees continued armed-group activity amid the ceasefire.
The West Bank sees militant activity and settler violence.
East Jerusalem faces flashpoint incidents.
Crossings are secured against militant threats.
Kidnapping and Detention
The conflict environment carries risks of abduction and of detention by various actors, and foreigners face the risk of detention, questioning and delay at Israeli-controlled crossings. Journalists and aid workers operate in a hazardous environment.
Gaza carries abduction and detention risk amid armed-group activity.
The West Bank carries detention and arrest risk during operations.
East Jerusalem carries detention risk at flashpoints.
Crossings are a focus for detention, questioning and delay.
Crime and Lawlessness
The collapse of order in Gaza has driven looting and opportunistic crime amid desperation, and criminal activity persists in the West Bank. The overriding risks remain conflict and military operations rather than ordinary crime.
Gaza sees looting and opportunistic crime amid collapse.
The West Bank sees opportunistic and some organised crime.
East Jerusalem sees ordinary urban crime alongside political tension.
Crossings see smuggling-related activity.
Internal Travel
Movement is extremely constrained and dangerous. Gaza is fragmented by Israeli control lines, rubble and unexploded ordnance, and entry depends on crossings that open and close without notice. The West Bank is divided by checkpoints, barriers and closures that can change at short notice.
Gaza movement is severely restricted, fragmented and hazardous with UXO.
The West Bank is divided by checkpoints, barriers and closures.
East Jerusalem movement is subject to security controls.
Crossings are the controlling chokepoints and can close entirely.
Health and Disease
Gaza's health system has been devastated, with most facilities damaged or destroyed, severe shortages, disease risk from damaged water and sanitation, and famine-level needs during the war. Serious cases require international medical evacuation, which is difficult and dependent on crossing access.
Gaza's health system is largely destroyed and overwhelmed.
The West Bank has functioning but strained facilities affected by access restrictions.
East Jerusalem has better facilities but access is restricted for many.
Evacuation depends on crossing access and approvals.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Palestinian society is conservative and predominantly Muslim, with significant Christian communities and deeply sensitive religious sites, particularly in Jerusalem. Political and religious topics are highly charged, and travellers should dress conservatively, be discreet and defer to trusted local guidance.
Gaza is conservative and traumatised by war.
The West Bank is conservative with strong political sensitivities.
East Jerusalem is highly sensitive around holy sites.
Conduct at crossings should be measured and compliant.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex relationships face legal and severe social hostility, particularly in Gaza, and the conflict environment removes any protection. LGBT travellers should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
Gaza is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants amid extensive rubble, causing continued casualties and impeding movement and recovery. Travellers must stay strictly on cleared, established routes.
Gaza is extensively contaminated with UXO amid rubble.
The West Bank has localised risks in some areas.
East Jerusalem has minimal contamination.
Cleared corridors and routes should be strictly followed.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
Gaza is entering a transitional governance arrangement under an international Board of Peace and a Palestinian technocratic committee, with an eventual role envisaged for a reformed Palestinian Authority, while the PA administers parts of the West Bank under Israeli overall control. Arrangements are fluid, contested and unresolved, and consular support is limited.
Gaza's governance is transitional and internationally supervised.
The West Bank is administered by the PA under Israeli control.
East Jerusalem is under Israeli administration and contested.
Crossings are controlled by Israel and Egypt.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Surveillance and monitoring are pervasive, and connectivity in Gaza is damaged and intermittent. Device scrutiny can occur at crossings, and sensitive content or affiliations can create risk.
Gaza has damaged, intermittent connectivity and heavy surveillance.
The West Bank has functioning but monitored connectivity.
East Jerusalem has functioning connectivity under surveillance.
Crossings involve device scrutiny.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Poliomyelitis
Recommended given circulation risk amid damaged sanitation in Gaza.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Measles (MMR)
Recommended given outbreak risk amid disrupted immunisation.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care and trauma risk.
Other Health Hazards
- Water and sanitation: Damaged infrastructure in Gaza drives waterborne disease risk; practise strict hygiene.
- Disease outbreaks: Crowded displacement conditions raise communicable-disease risk.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care in Gaza is minimal. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Shortages: Medicine and supply shortages are severe in Gaza.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Palestine. Cover is available on request only and is situation dependent given the fragile ceasefire, and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Given devastated healthcare and crossing dependence, evacuation cover is essential. Policies may exclude Gaza or specific areas and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Entry and movement depend on Israeli-controlled crossings that open and close without notice. Foreigners face questioning, detention and delay at crossings and West Bank checkpoints. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose; permits may be required. Do not photograph military, crossings or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Armed-group activity carries abduction and detention risk, particularly in Gaza. Detention by various actors and at crossings is a live risk for foreigners. Most incidents occur at crossings, checkpoints and during movement. Media and aid workers operate in a hazardous, restricted environment.High-Risk Travellers
Leisure travellers have no support structure in a conflict and ceasefire environment. Journalists and aid workers face significant risk and access restrictions. Unaccompanied individuals face heightened risk at crossings and checkpoints. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage UXO, crossing and conflict conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Plan around crossing access and approvals, which can change without notice. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Carry your own supplies given severe shortages in Gaza.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations before crossings. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync. Assume communications are monitored.Movement and Operational Security
Stay strictly on cleared, established routes in Gaza due to UXO. Avoid settlements, flashpoints and military operations in the West Bank. Treat crossings as controlling chokepoints subject to closure. Expect Israeli checkpoints and closures in the West Bank.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Dress conservatively and defer to trusted local guidance. Avoid political and religious flashpoints, especially in Jerusalem. Never photograph military, crossings or installations.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
hotspotcover.com © Hotspot Cover - Country Risk Report