Israel closes Palestine territories for Jewish holiday

By Abdul Raouf Arnavut

Jerusalem (AA) - Israel said Thursday that it would seal off Palestinian territories under the Palestinian Authority to mark the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee said the move was directed by political leadership based on “the assessment of the security situation.”

“A complete closure will be imposed on Judea and Samaria — in the occupied West Bank — and the Gaza Strip crossings,” he said in a statement.

He said the closure will begin at midnight Thursday and last until midnight Sunday.

Adraee said commercial crossings will remain open during the closure.

*Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara contributed to this report