Israel to impose comprehensive closure on occupied West Bank

RAMALLAH — Israeli authorities have imposed a “comprehensive closure” on the occupied West Bank and closed crossings into the territory, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported Sunday.The closure will remain in effect until Saturday, Oct. 3, with Israeli authorities citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, as the reason for the restrictions, according to the report.The measures include tighter military restrictions at checkpoints and barriers, limiting the movement of Palestinians and their access to holy sites.Israeli forces tightened restrictions around Ramallah and Al-Bireh on Sunday, closing several roads and entrances, Wafa reported.The entrances to Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh were also closed, while Israeli forces established checkpoints in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba’ to search vehicles and check Palestinians’ identification documents, the agency reported, citing local sources.The restrictions come amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.At least 1,206 Palestinians, including 254 children, have been killed, about 13,350 wounded and more than 24,600 arrested in the occupied West Bank during that period, according to Palestinian official figures.