Israel Announces 3-day West Bank and Gaza Closure for Independence Day

The Israeli army announced Monday that they are closing all Gaza and West Bank border crossings into Israel on Memorial Day and Independence Day, due to the current security situation.

Temporary closures for Jewish and Israeli holidays are common on most major ones.

During these closures, Palestinians are prohibited from entering Israel except for medical or other emergencies, and only with permission from the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

The Israeli army spokesperson said that the decision was made following a security establishment assessment and with the approval of the political leadership.

The border crossings will close at midnight on Monday and will reopen at midnight on Thursday.

The statement said that crossing the border will only be allowed in case of an exceptional medical or humanitarian emergency.

Following an escalation that began Saturday morning, an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached with Israel on Monday to end the recent surge of violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel.

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In two days of fighting, more than 600 rockets were launched at Israel, while the Israeli army struck hundreds of targets in the Strip. Four Israelis were killed and four were wounded as rockets fell on the south of Israel. 25 Palestinians, including two pregnant women and two infants, were killed, as Israeli struck hundreds of targets in Gaza.