In other news...

Israel closes Gaza Strip and West Bank borders

October 23, 1996
Web posted at: 11:55 p.m. EDT (0355 GMT)

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel closed its borders on the Gaza Strip and West Bank at midnight Wednesday, preventing Palestinian workers from entering the country.

The closure was due to the threats of suicide attacks on the first anniversary of the death of Fathi Shqaqi, a leader of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad.

Only VIP visits and rare humanitarian situations will be allowed, the government said. No decision has been announced concerning how long the closure would last.

Special section:

• Struggle for Peace

Related stories:

• Reported Hebron progress keeps U.S. envoy in Mideast - October 22, 1996
• Palestinians walk out of Middle East peace talks - October 21, 1996
• U.S. envoy leaving deadlocked Mideast talks - October 21, 1996

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Arab.net

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

Tell us what you think! You said it...

© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.