IDF panics over 'Twelfth of Av rally': Declares 'military closure' on areas around Gaza

August 12, 2024   

The commander of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, signed an order last night to change the policy of the closed military area in several areas around the Gaza border - this is in an attempt to prevent right-wing activists and the 'Nahla' movement from breaking into the Gaza Strip, as part of the 'Reading of the Scroll of Lamentations at the Entrance to the Netzarim Highway' event. As part of the change in the closed areas, several areas will be closed and access to them without prior coordination is prohibited. The Nahla movement stated: "We reiterate and emphasize that the reading of the Scroll of Lamentations is planned to take place on the sovereign territory of the State of Israel and it is unthinkable that they will not allow the reading of the Scroll to take place solely for political reasons. As we informed the public and all military and police officials, there was no plan to cross the fence. Many from all over the country are expected to come and participate in the reading of the Scroll of Lamentations in a call for the renewal of Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip." As part of the order, the agricultural areas between the Erez crossing, Yad Mordechai, Shaar Hanegev junction, Netivot junction and Nahal Oz will be closed to traffic. In addition, the agricultural areas from the access road to the cemetery in Netivot to the junction with Highway 234, and from there to the perimeter fence, will be closed. In addition, the Nahal Eshkol area will be closed from the Re'im junction through the Urim junction, to the Ma'on junction and from there to the perimeter fence. The order will go into effect today at 12:00. The police announced that police officers from the Southern District are prepared to assist the IDF in the area and at the crossings in order to enforce the order of the Southern Command Major General, which prohibits entry into a closed military area and to prevent unauthorized citizens from entering the area, while maintaining order and security. As part of the preparations for the Tish B'Av events in the Western Negev sector, today, starting at noon, police forces will be deployed on relevant routes and areas, with an emphasis on maintaining public order and supervising the flow of traffic on the roads and blocking the crossings accordingly. Today, starting at 1:00 PM, the following roads will be closed to traffic: Highway 4 from the Yad Mordechai intersection to the Ha'asra Highway. Highway 34 will be closed to traffic from the Yad Mordechai intersection to the Sha'ar Hanegev intersection (one way). Highway 25 will be closed to traffic from the northern entrance to the city of Netivot (Hamazlag intersection) to the Sa'ad intersection. Highway 232 will be closed to traffic from the intersection Shaar HaNegev to Reim Junction. Highway 241 will be closed to traffic from Urim Junction to Magen Junction. Highway 234 will be closed to traffic from Urim Junction to Reim Junction.