West Bank checkpoint (Archive photo)
Photo: AP
Purim: Full closure to be imposed on PA
Defense Minister Mofaz orders defense establishment to boost anti-terror activity
Security officials have decided to impose a full closure on Palestinian areas starting Saturday night. The curfew will remain in place until Wednesday.
The decision to impose the curfew ahead of the upcoming Purim holiday was taken during the weekly situation assessment undertaken Friday morning.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed the IDF and defense establishment to undertake the utmost effort - including the cancellation of training sessions and leaves if necessary - to thwart terror attacks ahead of the Purim holiday and upcoming elections.
'Effort must be made'
Mofaz also ordered security forces to boost counter-terror measures at city centers and crowd concentrations.
"In the next two weeks, against the backdrop of the Purim holiday and Election Day, every effort must be made in order to boost anti-terror activity and hamper plans to carry out attacks in Israel," Mofaz said during a discussion at his Tel Aviv office attended by IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, Shin Bet representatives, and other senior security officials.
Addressing terror threats on northern Gaza's Karni crossing, used for the transfer of goods, Mofaz said alerts still exist. The crossing was reopened this week after being closed down for two weeks as a result of terror warnings.
On another front, during Friday's meeting no mention was made of earlier comments by former Army Chief Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon, who said Israel has the ability to strike at Iranian nuclear sites.
