IDF announces closures on West Bank, Gaza border crossings during upcoming holidays

The Israeli army announces it is imposing a closure on border crossings between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the upcoming Jewish holidays.

Closures during Rosh Hashanah will begin September 25 at 4 p.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on September 27.

On Yom Kippur, closures will begin October 4 at 12:01 a.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on October 5.

During Sukkot, closures will begin October 9 at 4 p.m. and last until 11:59 p.m. on October 10, as well as between October 16 at 4 p.m. and October 17 at 11:59 p.m.

In all cases, the Israel Defense Forces says the border crossings for Palestinians will reopen “subject to a situational assessment.”

Exceptions during the upcoming closures will be made for humanitarian and other outstanding cases, but will require the approval of the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

Such closures are standard practice during festivals and holidays, in what the military says is a preventative measure against attacks at those times, which are seen as periods of increased tension.

During the holiday of Purim in March this year, the military skipped the closures altogether for the first time in five years.