Mortars fired at IDF patrol near Gaza
Ahead of Passover, IDF imposes restriction of movement on Palestinians in West Bank; entry to Temple Mount limited
Palestinians from the Gaza Strip fired two mortar rounds at Israeli forces patrolling along the border Monday morning.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which took place near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
The attack on IDF troops was the latest in a string of cross-border attacks from the Hamas-controlled territory. On Thursday, Palestinians fired mortars at IDF soldiers patrolling, and the soldiers returned fire into Gaza. No injuries were reported.
Monday’s incident came on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover. In anticipation of potential violence, the IDF imposed a general closure of the West Bank on Monday. Palestinian movement in the area will be restricted, except for humanitarian and medical cases approved by Israel’s Civil Administration.
The closure, according to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, is set to be lifted at midnight Wednesday, conditional on a security assessment by the IDF.
As of early Monday morning, extra security personnel were dispatched across the country. Police raised the national alert level and set up fixed and mobile checkpoints at key locations. Entry to the Temple Mount was restricted to Muslim women and men over the age of 50 who have Israeli ID cards. Tourists and Jews were barred from entering out of concern for potential altercations.
Throughout the holiday, police officers will be deployed at major roads, parks, entertainment spots and crowded areas, Ynet reported.