Israel to impose weeklong closure on occupied West Bank

Israeli officials have decided to impose a "comprehensive closure on the occupied West Bank" and close border crossings into the territory, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Sunday.

The closure is set to remain until Saturday, Oct. 3, the agency reported, adding that Israeli authorities cited the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, as the reason for the measure.

The measures include tighter military restrictions at checkpoints and barriers, limiting Palestinians’ movement and access to holy sites.

Israeli forces tightened restrictions around Ramallah and Al-Bireh on Sunday, closed several roads and entrances and harassed Palestinians, the outlet said.

They also closed the entrances to Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh, while setting up checkpoints in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba’ to search vehicles and check Palestinians' IDs, it reported, citing local sources.

The developments come as Israeli military and occupier attacks in the occupied West Bank have intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

At least 1,206 Palestinians, including 254 children, have been killed, about 13,350 wounded and more than 24,600 arrested during that period, according to Palestinian official figures.