West Bank04 October, 20263 min read
Yisrael Katz Orders Full West Bank Closure and Gaza Crossing Shutdown for October 7 Anniversary
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Defense Minister Katz ordered a weeklong general closure of the West Bank, and Gaza crossings. Closure timed to remembrance ceremonies marking October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
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Full closure for Oct. 7
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Sunday the imposition of a full closure on the West Bank and the closure of crossing points with the Gaza Strip in conjunction with the anniversary of the October 7 events. Katz explained that the closure imposed on the West Bank will be comprehensive, based on the army’s recommendations and security estimates, and he issued instructions to impose a general ban on the West Bank area and to close the Bethlehem crossings from the fifth to the seventh of October. COGAT announced that Israel will impose a general closure on the West Bank and close crossings into the Gaza Strip on Monday and Wednesday in connection with commemorations marking the October 7 massacre, with the closure taking effect on October 5 and October 7 following a security assessment and a decision by the defense minister.
COGAT said passage through crossings in the West Bank would be permitted only in humanitarian, medical, and other exceptional cases, subject to COGAT approval, while essential healthcare workers would also be allowed to cross. COGAT added that humanitarian aid will not enter the enclave, but aid already transferred through the Kerem Shalom Crossing will continue to be collected from the Gazan side as usual.
Exceptions and checkpoint limits
COGAT said that Palestinian “essential workers in the healthcare sector” will be permitted to cross West Bank checkpoints, as will other Palestinians in cases where there are “commitments by the state to the High Court of Justice.” COGAT emphasized that “the closure of the crossings on these dates is not expected to have any impact on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.” Israeli occupation forces tightened procedures at military checkpoints in the West Bank, and local sources reported that the iron gate at the entrances to Nabi Saleh north of Ramallah, Atara, and al-Mhllah near Anin was closed.
Israeli occupation forces early Sunday carried out raids and arrests in various areas of the West Bank, and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office stated that occupation forces arrested 15 Palestinians, including a journalist and a female journalist. Israeli forces arrested journalist Sami al-Shami after raiding his home in Asira al-Qibliya village south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and Israeli forces also arrested journalist Rajaa Jaber from her home in Arraba town south of Jenin.
Detentions, raids, and assaults
Israeli forces arrested journalist Sami al-Shami after raiding his home in Asira al-Qibliya village south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and Israeli forces also arrested journalist Rajaa Jaber from her home in Arraba town south of Jenin. Settlers intensified their assaults on Palestinians and their properties, including bulldozers belonging to settlers clearing agricultural lands in the northern area of Um Sayḥa northwest of Ramallah to expand a settlement outpost established in 2024 on Jabal al-Ras. In Nablus Governorate, several settlers attacked a farmer while he was picking olive fruit in the Mahfouriya area of the Arab al-Galha (Arabeh) town, beating him and stealing his olives and his equipment.
The Barrier and Settlement Resistance Commission documented 2051 Israeli army and settler assaults against Palestinian citizens and their lands and properties during the past month, including 1404 assaults by occupation forces and 647 assaults by settlers. Israeli occupation forces early Sunday carried out raids and arrests in various areas of the West Bank, and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office stated that occupation forces arrested 15 Palestinians, including a journalist and a female journalist.