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Israel closes off Palestinian territories amid national holidays

Xinhua, May 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israel will impose a closure over the Palestinian territories in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip enclave starting from Tuesday until early Friday, the Israeli army said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson announced that the closure over the Palestinian territories will take place during the commemoration of the Israeli Remembrance Day of Fallen Soldiers and Terror Victims on Wednesday, followed by the Israeli Independence Day celebrations on Thursday, until 5 am local time (GMT 0300) on Friday.

During these days, Palestinians would not be allowed to leave the Palestinian territories into Israel, except for in humanitarian cases, which would be considered by the military along with the approval of the Israeli Coordinator of the Government's Activities in the Territories.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians who carry work permits and can legally work in Israel will not be able to reach their jobs.

Crossings from the Gaza Strip into Israel will also be closed off during these days. Israel imposes a blockade on the enclave, which is ruled by Hamas since 2007.

Israeli security forces have also imposed closures on the Palestinian population during the holidays of Purim and Passover, celebrated in the past two months, amid an ongoing wave of violence which claimed the lives of 28 Israelis and 203 Palestinians.

The Israelis were killed in stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks, whereas the Palestinians were killed either in clashes with Israeli security forces during protests, or were gunned down after trying to commit attacks against Israelis.

On a related matter, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy and his cousin were convicted earlier on Tuesday by a Jerusalem court for stabbing and seriously injuring two Israelis in an east Jerusalem in October.

Israeli leaders blame the Palestinian Authority for incitement to violence amid the wave of unrest which started in October, whereas the Palestinians charge it is the result of 49 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip territories, where they wish to establish their own state. Endit