Israel closes West Bank and Gaza on the eve of October 7 anniversary

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered yesterday the imposition of a general closure on the West Bank and the closure of Gaza Strip crossings on October 5 and 7, on the eve of the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack. A ministry statement said the closure, implemented based on recommendations from the Israeli military and in accordance with security assessments, aims to severely restrict Palestinian entry during the two days, allowing only very limited exceptions at West Bank crossings only. This step follows a similar wide-ranging closure imposed by Israel on the West Bank during the Jewish New Year holidays in late September.