IDF to reopen southern hiking trails in closed military zones for Shavuot holiday

By Stav Levaton

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21 May 2026, 11:20 am

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Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel

The IDF says it will reopen several hiking trails in southern Israel to the public over the upcoming Shavuot holiday, following a fresh operational assessment by the Southern Command.

According to the military, some areas that have been designated closed military zones will be open from the start of the holiday today through Saturday night.

A map of southern Israel released by the IDF, highlighting which areas will be open to the public for the Shavuot holiday (green) and which areas are still designated closed military zones (red), May 21, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF says a section of Route 10 along the Egyptian border will also reopen on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The military notes that live-fire training exercises will continue in parts of southern Israel during the holiday, and warns that some areas will remain off-limits to civilians.

The IDF urges hikers not to enter prohibited zones and says entry into the permitted areas requires prior coordination and approval.