Katz Closes West Bank and Gaza Crossings on October 7th Anniversary

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Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz decided to impose a comprehensive closure on the West Bank and the closure of the Gaza Strip crossings on October 5 and 7, claiming security considerations related to the commemoration of the events of October 7.

Katz announced today, Sunday, his approval of the Israeli army's recommendation on the closure, based on the assessment of the security situation, provided that the measures are applied on the two days specified, according to Channel 14 Israel.

The Israeli decision stipulates that exceptions to crossing in the West Bank shall be allowed only in specific cases, while allowing the passage of essential workers in the health sector, in addition to cases that are related to obligations presented by Israel before the Supreme Court, or the needs related to the Seam Zone.

Exceptions are also subject to the approvals of the competent Israeli authorities, according to the assessment of each case.

Israel imposed a general closure on the West Bank in late September, coinciding with the Feast of Tabernacles, on the recommendation of the army and security assessments.

These measures come ahead of the third anniversary of the attacks of October 7, 2023, which began at dawn that day with a massive attack by Hamas and Palestinian factions from the Gaza Strip on military towns and sites. Israeli, in conjunction with the launch of thousands of rockets.

The next day, Israel declared war and began a large-scale military campaign on the Gaza Strip, which included air strikes and land and sea operations.

The Israeli authorities also imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip, which included stopping the supply of electricity, water, fuel and the entry of goods. The fighting has led to widespread destruction and mass displacement of the population, according to UN reports.

According to the latest toll announced by the Ministry of Health in Gaza on October 3, the number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of the war has risen to 74,228, while the number of injured has reached 175,188, according to what it reported The toll includes 1,445 killed since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025.

The current closure measures also come ahead of the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, 2026, to choose the members of the 26th Knesset, in the first Israeli general elections since the attack October 7, 2023. The 25th Knesset was dissolved in July 2026, opening the way for the upcoming elections.

Since then, the seventh of October has become a pivotal date in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after the repercussions of the war spread to the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, and triggered diplomatic moves Continuing international efforts to stop the fighting and reach arrangements on the Gaza Strip and the hostages.