The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday announced a general closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip ahead of the weeklong Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
The closure began at midnight, early Wednesday, and will be lifted in accordance with security assessments, the spokesperson of IDF told Xinhua.
During the closure, the passage of those in need of humanitarian aid as well as doctors, medical personnel, religious workers, NGO members, teachers, lawyers and additional professional groups will be authorized by Israeli District Coordination and Liaison offices.
In addition, 1,600 Palestinians will be authorized to pass from the West Bank into Israel for olive harvest.
The spokesperson also said journalists could not use the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza but they were free to enter and leave the West Bank, without giving explanation for the Gaza ban.
The holiday, or Feast of Tabernacles, which will begin at sunset, is viewed by the IDF as a highly sensitive time from a security standpoint.
During a military action throughout the West Bank overnight Tuesday, seven Palestinian militants were arrested and transferred to Israeli security interrogations.
Source: Xinhua
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