Israel Closes Off Occupied Areas for Independence Day
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JERUSALEM — Israel today closed the West Bank and Gaza Strip to prevent Palestinians from entering the country during Independence Day ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of statehood.
The army imposed curfews on 20 camps and three towns in the occupied territories, placing nearly 450,000 Palestinians under virtual house arrest.
The sealing off of the territories, which went into effect late Tuesday, is intended to prevent violence during Independence Day festivities, which begin tonight for Thursday’s holiday, when large crowds of Israelis gather outdoors to celebrate.
The restrictions are to be lifted sometime Thursday.
Meanwhile today, Israelis observed Memorial Day for Israel’s 16,450 soldiers killed in fighting since the state’s founding. An air-raid siren wailed across the nation.
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