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Israel's defense establishment began its traditional measures Sunday to secure the state for the Passover holiday.
A general closure on the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, in effect from midnight Sunday night, will extend for the duration of the week-long holiday. The closure will end at midnight Monday night, April 25.
During that time, special authorization based on humanitarian, medical and exceptional need will be required for PA Arabs to cross into pre-1967 Israel. Those requiring such authorization will be referred to the Civil Administration for Judea and Samaria.
PA Arab Christians will be permitted to pass through the closure in order to celebrate events associated with the Easter holiday.
Meanwhile, Magen David Adom emergency medical service will be on its second-highest level of preparedness beginning Monday evening.
An emphasis is being placed on the Negev and Lachish areas due to the escalation in Gaza-based terrorist activity.
MDA will continue with a specially-elevated level of preparedness during the intermediate days of the holiday as well, focusing its attention on sites that draw large crowds.
Hundreds of police and traffic volunteers will also be out early Monday to direct traffic ahead of the Passover holiday, which begins at sunset.
By Monday evening, the focus will shift to drunk drivers, with special attention paid to entertainment spots and the roads around them.
During the intermediate days of the holiday, police will be deployed at national parks that traditionally draw large crowds.
