Palestinian Territories

Recommended Vaccinations For Palestinian Territories

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Palestinian Territories

There are no recommendations for Palestinian Territories at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Palestinian Territories

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Palestinian Territories

Personal Safety

The West Bank has reported 1,035.6 criminal offenses per 100,000 population according to 2024 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics data, though this excludes Gaza and areas of East Jerusalem. The conflict escalation since October 2023 has fundamentally altered the security situation across Palestinian territories. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023 by Israeli forces and settlers, with over 1,800 settler attacks documented during this period. You face risks from Israeli military operations targeting refugee camps in areas like Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and Ramallah. These operations can occur without warning and result in civilian casualties. Checkpoints throughout the West Bank present unpredictable delays and potential confrontations. Violent incidents happen frequently along Route 60, Route 443, and other major roads used by both Palestinians and Israelis. Theft of passports, credit cards, and valuables occurs on public beaches and in tourist areas. In Gaza, the ongoing military operations have created extreme danger with over 67,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023. The entire territory experiences active combat, indiscriminate attacks, and humanitarian crisis conditions. No safe areas exist and consular assistance is unavailable. Movement restrictions and curfews can be imposed in the West Bank with little notice. GPS signals may be blocked, disrupting navigation apps. You should carry identification at all times.

Extreme Violence

Extreme violence related to the armed conflict has reached unprecedented levels since October 2023. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported more than 44,000 deaths by late 2024, with 70% of verified UN fatalities being women and children. A Lancet study estimated 64,260 deaths from traumatic injury by June 2024. Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population, often multiple times, with mass evacuations creating crimes against humanity according to human rights organizations. The West Bank has seen more than 1,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, including 70 in January 2025 alone. Israeli military raids targeting refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and Far’a result in mass displacement and civilian casualties. These operations involve indiscriminate attacks, bombing of residential areas, and attacks on medical facilities. Settler violence has intensified dramatically with over 1,400 documented attacks by October 2024. On June 25, 2025, around 100 armed Israeli settlers violently attacked the village of Kfar Malik, killing three people while attempting to burn homes. Areas near settlements in the South Hebron hills and near Nablus face particular danger. Palestinian armed groups have committed war crimes including the October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals. Hamas and other groups continue to hold hostages and have killed captives in custody. They fire indiscriminate rockets toward civilian areas, though these have caused limited casualties. Both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups have been documented committing serious violations of international humanitarian law. The conflict involves widespread use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas, attacks on civilian infrastructure including hospitals and schools, and documented cases of sexual violence, torture, and other cruel treatment of detainees on both sides.

Political Unrest

Political tensions and civil unrest permeate daily life across Palestinian territories. Demonstrations and clashes between Israeli forces, settlers, and Palestinians occur frequently, particularly during significant anniversaries, religious holidays, and in response to military operations. Protests in Jerusalem, including the Old City and East Jerusalem, happen regularly and Israeli authorities may restrict access or impose age and gender-specific entry requirements, especially during Ramadan. Violent confrontations at checkpoints are common. The West Bank experiences regular demonstrations met with force by Israeli security personnel. On April 30, 2024, Palestinian police violently dispersed university student protests in Ramallah, with 60 students filing complaints about excessive force. Palestinian authorities in the West Bank arrested 41 journalists in 2024 for periods ranging from hours to a week, interrogating them about their work. More than 241 complaints of arbitrary detention were filed with the Independent Commission for Human Rights. In Gaza, critics of authorities face physical assault. On July 8, 2024, Amin Abed, a Hamas critic, was assaulted by masked armed men in Jabalia refugee camp. Organized anti-Hamas demonstrations are not permitted in Gaza, though small spontaneous protests by desperate residents demanding food and aid have occurred. Movement restrictions, including checkpoints, closures, and curfews, can be imposed throughout the West Bank without warning. These restrictions affect access to cities, religious sites, and border crossings. Land border crossings to Jordan may open and close at short notice. The political division between Fatah-controlled West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza creates additional complications for governance and movement between territories.

Areas To Avoid

Gaza represents an extreme danger zone where all travel should be avoided. The entire territory experiences active military operations, indiscriminate attacks, severe shortages of food and water, collapsed healthcare infrastructure, and no functioning exit routes for civilians. Consular assistance is completely unavailable. Northern Gaza faces particularly intense military operations since October 2024, with complete sieges, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian infrastructure. Refugee camps throughout the West Bank present serious risks. Jenin and Nablus refugee camps face particularly frequent and violent Israeli military raids resulting in deaths, mass displacement, and destroyed infrastructure. Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and Far’a camps also experience regular military incursions. These operations often involve complete sieges, restriction of medical access, and indiscriminate use of force. Route 60, especially junctions near Nablus, has been the site of numerous violent incidents including shootings, stone throwing, and confrontations. Route 443 connecting Jerusalem and the West Bank also sees frequent security incidents. Highway 90 running through the Jordan Valley is one of the most dangerous roads, with over 2,250 accidents between 2003 and 2018. Areas near Israeli settlements pose significant danger. The South Hebron hills, areas around Beit El, Homesh, Shilo, and Evyatar have experienced recent violent incidents involving settlers. The H2 area of Hebron around Ash-Shuhada Street and the Ibrahimi Mosque is a closed military zone with risk of hostile reactions from extremist groups. Areas within 500 meters of the separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank are particularly high-risk zones where violent confrontations occur. Checkpoints throughout these areas can close suddenly and become flashpoints for violence. East Jerusalem experiences regular tensions, demonstrations, and restrictions on Palestinian access.