Israel Blocks Off Gaza Strip, West Bank for Passover


Israel Blocks Off Gaza Strip, West Bank for Passover

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Zionist regime of Israel has announced the closure of all points of entry between the occupied West Bank, the Gaza strip, and the occupied Palestinian territories on Friday and Saturday for the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Tensions are high in occupied territories following a wave of violence that has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis since October.

The blockade was decided after "an evaluation of the security situation", a military spokesperson told AFP without giving specifics.

Tel Aviv regularly closes off access to the occupied territories for Palestinians during major Jewish religious festivals, though exceptions will be made for humanitarian and medical cases, the spokesperson added.

Thousands of Jewish pilgrims flock to al-Quds (Jerusalem) and other holy sites during the eight-day holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt in Biblical times.

Earlier this week, a suicide bus bombing in al-Quds wounded 20 people. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance group Hamas claimed responsibility.

Many analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement-building in the West Bank have fed the recent unrest.

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