Tel Aviv  - Israel will close off the West Bank from midnight Thursday until October 10, the Israeli military spokesman announced Thursday afternoon.

The closure will last for the duration of the Jewish festival of Sukkot (booths), which begins at sundown Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday October 10.

A statement from the military spokesman's office said that persons in need of medical care will not be affected by the closure.

Also, "the passage of humanitarian aid as well as doctors, medical personnel, NGO members, lawyers, religious workers and additional professional groups will be authorized by the District Coordination and Liaison office."

Israel generally seals off the Palestinian territories ahead of Jewish festivals, for fear that militants will attempt to infiltrate into Israel to carry out attacks, as happened in March 2002 when a suicide bomber killed 30 Israelis at a hotel as they were sitting down for a festive meal for the Passover holiday.