Israel closes West Bank, Gaza for 4 days

JERUSALEM

Israel announced on Friday it would close the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank for four days during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

In a statement, an Israeli army spokesperson said the decision was taken “after evaluating the security situation”.

The restrictions would be in place from Saturday night and would be lifted on Wednesday night.

Usually, during such periods of closure, Palestinians are prevented from working in Israel or accessing medical treatment there, unless they obtain special entry permits from Israeli authorities.

Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, which generally falls in late winter or early spring. It will start on March 9 this year.

Israel frequently imposes such restrictions on Palestinian territories during Jewish holidays.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara