Britain advises citizens to leave Gaza due to worsening violence

[Behind the Aegis]

Britain advised its citizens on Friday to leave Gaza unless they have round-the-clock professional bodyguards because of worsening violence in the territory.

The warning came a week after three Britons were kidnapped in the territory, which was turned over to Palestinian control when Israel withdrew its troops and settlers last year.

New Foreign Office travel advice for Israel and the Palestinian territories said all British citizens should leave Gaza unless they have "adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements".

"This is due to the continuing deterioration in the security situation," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

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