Israel imposes “general block” in the occupied West Bank for a week

“ Dand according to this directive, Palestinian workers will not be able to enter the settlements of Judea and Samaria (biblical names for the West Bank, commonly used in Israel) during the holiday of Sucot ", said the Ministry of Defense, in a press release cited by the EFE, clarifying that essential workers will not be prevented from entering.

According to the same note, Minister Katz’s decision was taken in accordance with a recommendation from the Israeli Army intelligence services.

The entry into Israel of Palestinian workers who do not perform essential functions is prohibited since Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023.

Therefore, this measure will affect particularly those employed in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, considered illegal under international law.

Jewish holidays, which began two weeks ago with the New Year, are generally viewed by Israeli security officials as periods of high tension and increased risk of attack.

In the last two weeks, three Palestinian attacks have taken place against Israelis, resulting in the death of a civilian and serious injuries to a soldier, the son of the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter.

The United Nations reports that 41 Israelis, including civilians and members of the security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, according to data from Israeli non-governmental organisation B’Tselem, Israeli forces and settlers killed more than 1,100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from the same date.