‘Leave West Bank now,’ Germany advises its citizens

Germany on Thursday advised its citizens to leave the West Bank now due to intensifying violence in the region.

"We recommend all German nationals to leave the West Bank now," the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement, warning against traveling to Israel and the Palestinian territories "due to the escalation of violence in the region."

Underlining that Israel is formally in a state of war, the ministry said: "A further aggravation of the situation and an expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out."

"The Israeli army continues airstrikes and is preparing a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip," it noted.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire" to ease the "epic human suffering."

At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.