General Closure on Palestinian Areas During Pesach

As a precaution against a threatened escalation of terror attacks, the IDF announced on Thursday a general closure on Palestinian areas in Yehudah and Shomron, along with Gaza border crossings. The closure will continue throughout Pesach.

The decision came following instructions from the government, as well as a security evaluation, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said. The closure will be lifted on April 23 at 11:59 p.m., “in line with a [security] evaluation.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s security establishment raised its level of alert and ordered a reinforcement of army and police for the coming week.

“We must make sure that the [holiday] gatherings do not become targets for terror attacks,” a security source was quoted by The Jerusalem Post as saying. “The weather is better, there are more people traveling, and more people outside.”

Meanwhile on Thursday, Israel’s army chief told government ministers that the Palestinian Authority has boosted its efforts to combat terrorism aimed at Israeli soldiers and civilians, according to a media report.