Israel Shuts West Bank, Gaza Strip Barring Entry Of All Palestinians Until Sunday

Israel has announced to be barring all Palestinians from entering the country after the attack in Tel Aviv by Palestinian gunmen that killed four Israelis.

Israeli army spokeswoman said only in medical and humanitarian cases would not be barred for Palestinians crossing from West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which would otherwise remain closed until Sunday midnight.

However, AFP reports even after the closure the Palestinians are still being seen crossing in large numbers in Bethlehem and Ramallah areas.

Last time Israel had shut down the crossings for two days was in May this year during its Rememberance Day and Independence Day commemorations. Usually such closures are imposed over Jewish holidays.

The current closure comes during the first Friday of holy month Ramadan when thousands of Muslim worshippers visits Al-Aqsa mosque for prayers.

A statement released by police reads, “Thousands of police will be in and around the Old City of Jerusalem carrying out security measures.”

Violence in the region has killed 207 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, 2 Americans, 1 Eritrean and 1 Sudanese since October 2015.

In the Wednesday’s shooting four people were killed and six others were injured at a popular restaurant area in Tel Aviv. Police said it was a terrorist attack by two gunmen.

Tel Aviv police chief Chico Edri said one of the terrorists was killed and the other was arrested. Both were residents of village near Hebron in the occupied West Bank.