Israel to impose closure on West Bank, Gaza

Tel Aviv, March 23 The Israeli military has said that a one-day closure will be imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip ahead of the country's fourth parliamentary elections in two years.

The closure started at midnight between Monday and Tuesday, and will be lifted after the elections overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, Xinhua news agency quoted a military spokesperson as saying in a statement.

During the closure, all the crossings between Israel and the Palestinian territories will be closed, except for humanitarian cases and medical emergencies, according to the statement.

The spokesperson said another closure is expected to be imposed on the Palestin from March 26 until April 3, in the wake of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Israel usually imposes closures on the West Bank and Gaza during Jewish holidays, citing security reasons.

The country's fourth parliamentary elections in two years will be held on Tuesday.

( With inputs from IANS )