Katz orders full closure of Judea and Samaria over holiday
Palestinian Authority workers barred from entering Israeli communities during the holiday, with few exceptions
Assessment
Defense Minister Israel Katz has sealed off Judea and Samaria for the holiday period, cutting off Palestinian Authority workers from entering Israeli communities except in rare cases. The order creates a hard border within the disputed territories during a sensitive religious time. What matters next is whether the closure triggers broader movement restrictions or remains a short term holiday measure.