Israel Extends West Bank Lockdown

Israel has extended its lockdown on the occupied West Bank amid high tension between Palestinians and Israelis stemming from Israel’s announcement that it would construct 1,600 more homes on Palestinian land. The lockdown had been scheduled to end Saturday night. —JCL

Al-Jazeera English:

Israel has extended a lockdown on the occupied West Bank and restricted access to the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem as tensions continue over its plans to build new homes for Jewish settlers in mainly Arab east Jerusalem.

The lockdown, which was due to end on Saturday night, was extended until Tuesday at midnight, because of a continued risk of attacks, an army spokesman said.

The military said people needing to pass for humanitarian reasons, medical workers and patients, religious workers teachers and other professionals would be permitted to cross subject to Israeli authorisation.

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Flickr / Tanya N

English-language graffiti on the Israeli-made “security fence” in the occupied West Bank.