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World

Israel orders week-long West Bank closure for Sukkot, through October 3

Defence minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to impose a general closure on the West Bank for the Sukkot holiday, with crossings shut and checkpoints closed from September 27 to October 3, according to Haaretz and the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

Israel has imposed a week-long general closure on the occupied West Bank for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, with crossings shut and tighter checkpoint restrictions in force from Sunday until Saturday, October 3.

Defence minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF on Sunday to impose the closure for the duration of the holiday, Haaretz reported. The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it had been informed that West Bank checkpoints would be closed from September 27 through October 3, with regular entry into Israel prohibited except for medical and humanitarian reasons.

Palestinian workers will not be permitted to enter Israeli settlements in the West Bank during the holiday; essential workers may enter industrial zones subject to IDF security guidelines, and no exceptional permits will be approved beyond those required by High Court commitments.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces tightened restrictions around Ramallah and Al-Bireh on Sunday, closing several roads and entrances, and sealed the entrances to Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh, while setting up checkpoints in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba’ to search vehicles and check identification documents.

The measures come amid heightened tensions in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023. According to Palestinian official figures, at least 1,206 Palestinians, including 254 children, have been killed there in that period, with about 13,350 wounded and more than 24,600 arrested.

Sources

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