(VOVworld) – The Israeli military announced Thursday it will impose a 48-hour closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, banning Palestinians from entering Israel during the Jewish holiday of Passover.

The Israeli government regularly closes off access to Israel for Palestinians during major Jewish religious festivals

 
A military spokesperson said the closure will last through the holiday, beginning at midnight between Thursday and Friday and ending on Saturday.
The reopening is subject to "security assessment," and priority will be given to humanitarian and emergency medical cases. Israel considers important Jewish holidays to be prone to attacks by Palestinian militants and regularly closes off the occupied territories at these times.