Israel to lock down W. Bank, Gaza for Passover holiday

JERUSALEM

Israel will impose a general closure on the occupied West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip during the upcoming weeklong Jewish Passover holiday.

The Israeli military said in a Friday statement that all checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza would remain closed -- except for “humanitarian” cases -- from April 9 to 17.

The Jewish Passover holiday will begin this year on Sunday (April 10) and will last for seven days.

“During this period, Palestinians are prohibited from entering Israel or Israeli towns [settlements] and factories in the West Bank for any reason, including for work," the army statement read.

Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt during the time of Prophet Moses, is considered one of the most important holidays on the Jewish religious calendar.