Israel imposes West Bank closure

Published today (updated) 12/03/2010 11:30

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

 Israeli forces imposed a general closure on the West Bank beginning Friday morning, the army said.

0The decision means those Palestinians with permits will generally not be permitted to access Jerusalem over the weekend.

The move comes in accordance with directives of the Israeli minister of defense, Ehud Barak, following situation assessments, the army said in a statement explaining the closure.

"The IDF will continue to operate in order to protect the citizens of Israel while maintaining the quality of life of the Palestinian population in the area," the statement said, noting that some Palestinians will still be allowed to enter Jerusalem and Israel.

For the duration of the closure, persons who will need to pass for humanitarian reasons, including medical patients en route to care, 1,500 medical workers, 1,100 religious workers, 550 teachers and other professional groups will be permitted to cross subject to the authorization of the Civil Administration, the army said.

Furthermore, the transfer of merchandise will operate regularly while the passage of journalists will also be permitted, the military statement added.

Meanwhile, Israeli police have imposed tight restrictions on the entry of worshipers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights reported Thursday.

Police began preventing worshipers under the age of 50 from entering the mosque for prayer on Thursday, while those who were allowed to access had to leave their IDs with Israeli police until they finished and left, the center said in a statement.

The move reportedly infuriated worshipers, and the center condemned the measure as a violation of privacy and freedom to worship. It expected the coming hours to see further restrictions on worshipers after violent clashes left dozens injured a week prior.

Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld confirmed the age restrictions, which he said were necessitated by recent disturbances at the East Jerusalem site, considered to be among the holiest for Muslims and Jews.

0"Last week there were no age limits, which Palestinian youths took as an opportunity to riot at the Temple Mount," he told Ma'an, referring to clashes at left more than 50 Palestinians and at least 18 Israeli police officers injured.

However, Rosenfeld said reports of ID restrictions at the site were baseless. "This is completely untrue," he said, adding that while existing restrictions were increased, no new policies were being implemented.

Police have called in extra forces in Jerusalem, upping deployment specifically in the Old City ahead of Friday prayers, he said.

All Gaza crossings closed

Published today (updated) 12/03/2010 13:49

Gaza – Ma'an –

 Israeli authorities have informed the Palestinian side that the Gaza Strip's border terminals will be closed all weekend.

The Kerem Shalom, Karni and Nahal Oz crossings will be shut down both Friday and Saturday, Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said. They will reopen on Sunday, he added.

Some 106 truckloads of humanitarian aid passed through Karem Shalom on Thursday, in addition to some cooking gas and fuel. Three truckloads of flowers were also exported as part of a Dutch program helping local farmers.

Tuku road closed for hours after army Hummer flips

Published yesterday (updated) 12/03/2010 01:50

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

Three Israeli soldiers were lightly injured when a military Hummer flipped near Tuqu, south of Bethlehem, after which the road was closed while soldiers received medical treatment.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the closure was the result of an accident, where soldiers hit the garden wall of a Palestinian home along the roadside, causing the jeep to overturn.

Witnesses said the wall was damaged, and several military vehicles remained on the scene until at least 10:30am. The spokeswoman said the soldiers were receiving medical treatment at the scene, after which they were evacuated to Hadassa Medical Center in Jerusalem.

The damaged home was in the Khirbet Al-Deir area, belonging to Salman Hamdan. No Palestinian injuries were reported.

The army spokeswoman said the road was completely open by noon.