Israel Imposes Weeklong Sukkot Closure on Occupied West Bank, Shuts Ramallah Crossings Israel imposed a comprehensive closure on the occupied West Bank for the Sukkot holiday, shutting crossings, tightening checkpoints and restricting Palestinian movement and access to holy sites. Israeli authorities imposed a comprehensive weeklong closure on the occupied West Bank on September 20, 2026, shutting crossings into the territory and further restricting Palestinians' movement. Israeli authorities cited the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, as the reason for the measure, according to Wafa, which reported the decision on Sunday. The closure blocks all entrances and exits to Ramallah. It also includes tighter military restrictions at checkpoints and barriers, limiting Palestinians' movement and access to holy sites across the territory.Entrances to the towns of Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh were also closed. Checkpoints were set up in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba' to search vehicles and check Palestinians' identification documents, Wafa reported, citing local sources.The measure is the latest in a series of tightening restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Reports say these restrictions have intensified since Israel's war on Gaza began in October 2023.The developments come as attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank have intensified since that war began, according to the reports.According to official Palestinian figures, at least 1,206 Palestinians, including 254 children, have been killed during that period. About 13,350 have been wounded and more than 24,600 have been arrested.The closure affects daily life across the territory. It cuts off major population centers from one another and from crossings used for work, medical care and family visits.For residents of Ramallah and nearby towns, the shutdown of all entrances and exits means travel in and out of the city is heavily restricted for the duration of the holiday measure. Military checkpoints control the remaining routes.Israeli authorities cited Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, as the reason for the comprehensive closure. The holiday is one of the major Jewish festivals. Israeli restrictions during such periods have in the past included tightened controls at checkpoints and barriers.Under the measures reported on September 20, 2026, Palestinians face reduced access to holy sites as well as tighter military checks at crossing points and barriers across the occupied West Bank.The reported closures at Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh, along with vehicle searches and ID checks in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba', show how the restrictions extend beyond major cities to smaller communities and rural roads.Such measures can separate villages from their farmland, workplaces and markets. This compounds the economic and social impact on Palestinian residents.Palestinian official figures cited in the reports put the toll since October 2023 at 1,206 killed, including 254 children, about 13,350 wounded and more than 24,600 arrested in the occupied West Bank.Those numbers have accumulated over a period in which movement restrictions and military operations in the territory have intensified, according to the same sources. Attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers have also intensified over the same period.The comprehensive closure announced for September 20, 2026, adds a further layer to an already tightened system of checkpoints, barriers and crossing closures that shapes Palestinian life in the occupied West Bank.With entrances and exits to Ramallah and several other towns shut, and with new checkpoints conducting searches and ID checks, the practical effect is a near-total limiting of movement for Palestinians during the holiday period.Reports on the closure relied on Israeli authorities for the stated reason of Sukkot and on local sources for the details of specific town closures, checkpoint locations and search operations. Wafa carried the initial report of the decision on Sunday.The weeklong nature of the closure means the restrictions will remain in place throughout the Sukkot holiday period. Residents in affected areas will continue to face controls on movement until the measure is lifted.Checkpoints in Yabroud, Ein Sinya and Jaba' are conducting vehicle searches and identity checks. These operations add to the barriers Palestinians already face when moving between towns and cities in the territory.The closure follows a pattern of heightened restrictions during Jewish holidays. Past measures during such periods have included tightened controls at checkpoints and barriers, similar to the steps reported now.For families in Ramallah and surrounding communities, the shutdown of all entrances and exits disrupts access to workplaces, hospitals and markets. Travel for family visits is also heavily restricted for the duration of the measure.Palestinian official figures record more than 24,600 arrests since October 2023. The same figures record about 13,350 wounded and at least 1,206 killed, including 254 children, across the occupied West Bank.The reported closures affect towns including Turmus Ayya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh. Each of these communities now faces closed entrances, while nearby checkpoints control movement on remaining routes.