Israel eases West Bank restrictions for Ramadan

The Israeli military announced it is allowing checkpoints in the West Bank to remain open longer during the holy month of Ramadan to allow Palestinians to visit their families. But officials said all crossings in the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip were to remain closed on Friday - the start of Ramadan, AKI news agency reported

In the West Bank, the Jalama crossing to Jenin and the Beit Mishpat crossing to Ramallah will stay open until midnight every day during Ramadan, Palestinian news agency Maan reported. 

The Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan will continue to operate between 8 am and midnight, allowing people and goods to cross, although Palestinians still require a permit to enter Jordan, Maan said.

Palestinian families who have relatives in Israeli will be permitted to go and stay with them for a week.

The rest of the 63 manned checkpoints prohibiting the movement of Palestinians will remain in place and none of the mounds or road gates restricting movement between West Bank villages will be removed.

Construction of the wall separating Israeli settlements will continue, according to Maan.

In East Jerusalem, men over 50 and women over 45 will be allowed to pray at the sacred Al-Aqsa mosque.

Soldiers at West Bank checkpoints were ordered during Ramadan "wherever possible to refrain from eating and drinking in public, especially at the various crossings, to demonstrate a high level of respect and understanding."