The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday announced the closure of crossings with the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the upcoming Jewish holidays.
Closures for Rosh Hashanah will begin Sunday, September 25 at 4 p.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27.
On Yom Kippur, closures will begin October 4 at 12:01 a.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on October 5.
During Sukkot, closures will begin October 9 at 4 p.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on October 10, as well as between October 16 at 4 p.m. and October 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Security officials are to convene to decide whether to extend the closure for the entirety of Sukkot, October 9-17.
In all cases, the Israel Defense Forces said the planned reopening of border crossings would be “subject to a situational assessment.”
Exceptions to the closures will be made for humanitarian and other outstanding cases, but will require the approval of the Defense Ministry’s liaison to the Palestinians, known as the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
Such closures are standard practice during festivals and holidays. The military says they are a preventative measure against attacks in periods of increased tension. But during the holiday of Purim in March, the military skipped the usual closure for the first time in five years.
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