Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Coordinator of Activities in the Territories Major-General Yoav Mordechai have decided to issue permits for hundreds of Gazans to pray on Har Habayis during the upcoming Feast of the Sacrifice.

Since the end of Operation Protective Edge the government has been easing restrictions on Gaza. This includes permitting additional trucks carrying supplies into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Officials report the amount of trucks carrying supplies heading into Gaza daily has increased significantly since the ceasefire was implemented.

On Wednesday night the eve of 8 Tishrei the senior officials decided to grant permits to hundreds of Gazans who will be visiting Har Habayis from October 5th through 7th.

Residents of PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous areas in Yehuda and Shomron will also benefit, as they will be granted permits to visit family members and travel. The restrictions surrounding the arrangement will limit entry to persons 60-years-old or older. In addition, 500 Gazans 60 or over will be permitted to visit with family living in PA areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron. Transfer of agricultural produce will also be permitted from Gaza to Yehuda and Shomron.

Police and other security agencies are moving to heightened alert on erev Shabbos ahead of Yom Kippur, the Feast of the Sacrifice and the upcoming Sukkos Yomtov.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)