"Israel" imposes closure on Gaza and W. Bank on Jewish holiday

Source: Xinhua, 21-09-2007
JERUSALEM (AL-QUDS) - The "Israeli" Military said on Friday that it has imposed a full closure on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank "in light of the significant terror threat" during a Jewish holiday.
The closure, starting Thursday midnight, will continue for the duration of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, which starts from Friday evening to Saturday evening, the "Israeli" Military said in a statement.
The closure will be lifted on "Israeli" Defense (War) Minister Ehud Barak`s orders following a renewed security assessment after the holiday ends.
During the closure Palestinians will only be permitted to enter "Israel" for humanitarian reasons, said the statement.
International organization workers, lawyers, medical professionals and clergymen would also be permitted entry, under coordination between "Israeli" security forces and the Palestinian National Authority, according to media reports.
A similar closure was also imposed on the West Bank during the Jewish New Year holidays last week.
In the past days, "Israeli" forces have been conducting military operations in Gaza and the West Bank city of Nablus.
On Thursday, the army said it thwarted a suicide bombing, after an alleged would-be suicide bomber and two of his collaborators were arrested in a refugee camp in Nablus.
The army said the three men were planning to carry out an attack in the heart of "Israel" in the next few days.
The ongoing operation in Nablus in the last three days has already led to the arrests of 36 Palestinians.