Closure imposed on West Bank before Holocaust Day lifted
Closure placed on West Bank prior to Holocaust Remembrance Day lifted; likely to be resumed ahead of Israel's Independence Day
The closure placed on the West Bank prior to the onset of Holocaust Remembrance Day was lifted Friday following a security assessment.
Passage during the closure was granted only for humanitarian causes. The closure is mostly likely to resume just before Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day marked next week. The decision is subject to the defense establishment's next security assessment.
The defense establishment currently has various intelligence indicating terror groups' intentions to carry out attacks, including projectile fire from Gaza, suicide and shooting attacks, attempted abductions, mainly in the West Bank, as well as dozens of other general security advisements.
Major-General Amos Yadlin, Director of Military Intelligence warned the cabinet ministers that Military Intelligence “knows of intentions by terrorist organizations to perform a “quality” attack on Independence Day, similar to the previous Passover attack. A combined attack is also possible – including soldier abductions.”
Regarding Gaza, Yadlin said that “the Hamas wants to remove the Gaza blockade. Since Egypt is determined to stop them, there might be an attempt to infiltrate Israel. A military infiltration is also possible, as was the case in Kerem Shalom on Passover eve.”
Yadlin emphasized that the Hamas’ goal is to hit the crossings between Gaza and Israel. “This is a prime opportunity for them to hit civilians and soldiers as well as the Hubers route, including digging tunnels, planting bombs and shooting attacks.”
The Hubers Route runs along Israel's security fence with the Gaza Strip, from the Mediterranean to the Philadelphi Route; and includes Israel's four major crossings with the Strip – the Erez crossing in its north, the Sufa and Karni crossings in its central and Kerem Shalom in its south.
