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Israel has announced a weeklong “comprehensive closure” of the occupied West Bank ahead of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, restricting Palestinian movement and access to crossings.
The closure is scheduled to remain in effect until October 3, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa, as cited by Anadolu Agency on Sunday.
Under the measures, tighter restrictions will be imposed at checkpoints and military barriers across the West Bank, limiting Palestinians’ movement and access to religious sites, Wafa reported.
Israeli forces also tightened movement restrictions in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh areas on Sunday, closing several roads and entrances, according to local sources cited by Wafa.
Entrances to Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh were also reportedly closed. Checkpoints have been set up in the areas of Yabrud, Ein Sinya and Jaba, where vehicles are being searched and Palestinians’ identity documents checked.
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of Judaism’s major religious festivals. This year, the festival runs from September 26 to October 2, followed by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on October 3.
Movement restrictions and Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank have increased since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Wafa has reported that hundreds of permanent and temporary checkpoints, gates and other barriers are currently in place across the territory.
Palestinian officials say the restrictions have disrupted movement between cities, towns and villages in the West Bank. Israel generally cites security concerns when imposing such military restrictions.