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PA Reinstates Virus Restrictions in Hebron, Nablus

Palestinian protesters pray at their lands during a demonstration against Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in the village of Hares near the northern West Bank city of Salfit, 19 June 2020. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
Palestinian protesters pray at their lands during a demonstration against Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in the village of Hares near the northern West Bank city of Salfit, 19 June 2020. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
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PA Reinstates Virus Restrictions in Hebron, Nablus

Palestinian protesters pray at their lands during a demonstration against Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in the village of Hares near the northern West Bank city of Salfit, 19 June 2020. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH
Palestinian protesters pray at their lands during a demonstration against Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in the village of Hares near the northern West Bank city of Salfit, 19 June 2020. EPA/ALAA BADARNEH

The Palestinian Authority has reinstated coronavirus restrictions in the West Bank following a spike in infections.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Saturday that a closure and five-day curfew have been imposed on Hebron and that the city of Nablus would be cutoff for two days to contain the spread of the virus.

The actions came after 86 Palestinians tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in the West Bank Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases there to 687, including two deaths.

The government, which controls parts of the West Bank, reopened quarantine centers, stepped up restrictions on movement and limits on gatherings, and called on Arab residents of Israel to stop visiting the territory for 14 days.

In the Gaza Strip, 72 confirmed virus cases and one death have been reported. They all came from inside mandatory quarantine facilities for returnees through Israel and Egypt.

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Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Israel could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on the militant group Hamas, an Israeli minister said on Wednesday, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israeli now occupies.

The comment by security cabinet member Zeev Elkin came a day after Britain said it would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza and reaches a ceasefire in the war with Hamas, Reuters reported.

France, which said last week it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, and Saudi Arabia issued a declaration on Tuesday, also backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, outlining steps toward implementing a two-state solution. As part of an end to the Gaza war, they said Hamas "must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority".

Israel has denounced moves to recognize a Palestinian state as rewarding Hamas for its October 2023 attack that precipitated the war.

POSSIBLE ULTIMATUM TO HAMAS

Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions.

"The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," he said. "A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool."

Mediation efforts aimed at reaching a deal that would secure a 60-day ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas ground to a halt last week, with the sides trading blame for the impasse.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the situation in Gaza, where a global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding. The Gaza health ministry reported seven more hunger-related deaths on Wednesday, including a two-year-old girl with an existing health condition.