Israel will close checkpoints across the West Bank and Gaza Strip on October 5 and October 7, 2026, as the country approaches the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, according to a security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
The embassy said it had been informed that the closures would apply across the entire West Bank region on those two dates, meaning there would be no regular entry into Israel except for medical and humanitarian purposes. The embassy said it would share updates if the policy changes significantly, and noted the information was being provided so people could plan around the closures.
The alert specified that Jerusalem ID holders can still travel and commute freely during the closure, but Arbel permit holders will not be able to cross checkpoints. Exceptions to the closure will only be considered for medical and humanitarian reasons.
The alert does not explain why October 6 is excluded from the closure dates.
This is not the first closure tied to the anniversary period. The same checkpoints were previously closed from September 27 through Saturday, October 3, with entry into Israel again restricted to medical and humanitarian cases during that stretch.
The closures were reportedly ordered by Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, acting on recommendations from the Israel Defense Forces. Katz’s order is also reported to extend to checkpoints on the Gaza Strip for the same two dates, October 5 and October 7.
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