As attacks on Iran intensify, Israel sealed West Bank crossings, emptied Al-Aqsa, and tightened closures across occupied Palestine.
Key Developments
- Israeli occupation army closed all crossings except limited exits via Eliyahu, Tarqumiya and Qalandiya.
- Widespread checkpoint closures paralyzed movement across West Bank governorates.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque compound was emptied; Isha and Taraweeh prayers prevented.
- Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron closed until further notice.
- Gaza death toll rose to 72,095 since October 2023, despite October ceasefire.
West Bank Sealed
While military confrontation between Israel and Iran escalates, sweeping restrictions were imposed across occupied Palestine.
According to Quds News Network, the Israeli occupation army announced that “in light of the ongoing developments” and the escalation with Iran, all crossings would be closed except for the exit of “vital workers” with specific permits through the Eliyahu, Tarqumiya and Qalandiya crossings.
Since Saturday morning, Israeli occupation forces have intensified military measures at most entrances and exits of West Bank governorates.
In Jericho, iron gates were shut at key access points, severely restricting movement and causing heavy traffic congestion. In Ramallah, checkpoints including Ein Sinya, Atara, Aboud, Yabroud, Silwad, the entrance to Rawabi, Beit Ur and the northern entrance to Al-Bireh were closed, preventing residents from entering or leaving.
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Bethlehem witnessed similar closures. Israeli occupation forces sealed the southern entrance at Al-Nashash and shut gates in Al-Manshiya and Umm Salmuna, as well as roads leading to Marah Rabah, Jorat Al-Shamaa and other nearby villages. Access to Tuqu’ was entirely cut off.
Salfit governorate saw multiple entrances closed with iron gates, including Marda, Deir Istiya, Qarawat Bani Hassan and Deir Ballut. The Jaba military checkpoint — a primary link between Ramallah, Al-Bireh and Jerusalem — was also shut.
In Tulkarm, Israeli occupation forces closed the Jabara Bridge gate and fired tear gas at stranded residents, while tightening measures at the Anab checkpoint. In Tubas, restrictions intensified at Tayasir and Ein Shibli checkpoints, further obstructing access to work and essential services. Qalqilya’s village entrances were also sealed, and additional checkpoints caused severe congestion.
Al-Aqsa Emptied, Ibrahimi Mosque Closed
Israeli occupation forces prevented the performance of Isha and Taraweeh prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Saturday, leaving the compound completely empty of worshippers.
The Jerusalem Governorate reported that Israeli occupation forces forced worshippers to leave the mosque compound in the morning and closed multiple military checkpoints in and around the city.
The Jib and Ras Badu checkpoints were fully closed, while Jaba was closed for exit movement and limited to entry only. At Qalandiya, passage was restricted to pedestrians during limited hours and to specific permit holders.
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Israeli occupation authorities also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron (Al-Khalil) until further notice.
Separately, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that a 16-year-old Palestinian was shot in the back by Israeli occupation forces near the Al-Nashash area south of Bethlehem and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Gaza Toll Continues to Rise
Meanwhile, despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 72,095, most of them women and children, since the beginning of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023. At least 171,784 others have been injured.
Medical sources reported that in the past 24 hours alone, nine bodies and 19 injured individuals were brought to Gaza hospitals. Since the ceasefire began, 628 people have been killed and 1,686 injured, with at least 735 bodies recovered from under the rubble.
(PC, QNN, WAFA)
