Israel Revokes Ramadan Permits after Terror Attack
JERUSALEM, Israel – Following Wednesday night's terror shooting in Tel Aviv, which left four Israelis dead and 16 injured, Israel revoked 83,000 permits issued to Palestinians living in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip during Ramadan.
Each year during the month-long holiday, Israel tries to help Muslim families by easing travel restrictions within Israel and abroad. This year, those privileges have been rescinded, with the exception of humanitarian or emergency medical situations.
The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is the Israeli military body that oversees Palestinian civilian affairs in the territories. COGAT issued a statement saying "all permits for Ramadan, especially permits for family visits from Judea and Samaria, are frozen."
The permits would have facilitated visits to the Temple Mount and to family and friends in Israeli cities and towns.
The Israel Defense Forces also sealed off Yatta, the Arab village near Hebron that is home to Muhammad Muhamra and his cousin, Khalid, the two gunmen, both 21, and revoked more than 200 work permits to extended family members employed by Israeli companies.
Israeli security forces detained several of Muhamra's family members for questioning after searching Muhammad's home.
Arutz7 reports that the Muhamra clan has its share of terrorists. An uncle of the two gunmen is still serving time for a shooting attack that killed four Israelis in 2002.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Hamas called the murders "the first prophecy of Ramadan," saying it "indicated the failure of all measures by the occupation" to stop the violence because it took place near Israel's Defense Ministry headquarters, YNet reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised decisive, intelligent and determined action to track down all collaborators in what he called "cold-blooded murder."
The IDF announced the deployment of two additional battalions to the Judea and Samaria Division.
