Israel to Lift West Bank Closure Monday Except for Village of Terror Attack Assailants

Palestinian workers and merchants from the West Bank will be allowed to enter Israel again beginning Monday, with the exception of residents of the village of Romaneh, the hometown of the Palestinians who committed a terror attack in the ultra-Orthodox city of Elad last week.

The decision was made Sunday night following a security situation assessment. The Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip will remain closed until further notice. Another situation assessment is slated for later this week.

Israeli forces captured on Sunday the two Palestinians who murdered three Israelis and wounded four in the Elad attack after a three-day manhunt. As’ad Yusef a-Rifai and Sabhi Emad Abu Shaker, were caught in Nahshonim Forest near Elad.

On Thursday, following the Elad attack, Israel decided to extend the closure imposed on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over Memorial and Independence Days. According to the Border Police, 341 Palestinians were arrested over the weekend for being in Israel illegally.

Earlier on Sunday, soldiers shot a Palestinian to death near Tul Karm, after he tried to cross the separation barrier, the Israeli army said.

According to the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit, the forces acted in accordance with the rules of engagement before opening fire, and the Palestinian was evacuated to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv where he was pronounced dead.