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Tel Aviv - The Israeli army is sealing off the Palestinian territories ahead of Yom Kippur, the holiest holiday on the Jewish calendar, which begins at sunset on Wednesday. The West Bank and Gaza border crossings will be open only to Palestinians in certain medical and humanitarian cases, the military said on Tuesday. The restrictions will be in effect from midday Wednesday until midnight on Thursday. Israel usually closes border crossings on Jewish holidays citing security concerns. There have been several attacks by Palestinians on Israelis in recent days, including in Jerusalem, causing Israeli police to up their presence in the contested city’s main squares. To mark Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, thousands of worshippers are expected to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, one of the holiest sites for Jews worldwide. (dpa)
