The Israeli army Wednesday declared the West Bank a closed area and announced a state of emergency marking the eve of the Hebrew New Year, starting Wednesday evening until midnight Saturday. The army raised the level of its security alert, especially on the main roads in the West Bank and along the Egyptian borders, as well as increasing the number of Israeli soldiers stationed at the main checkpoints in the Palestinian Territory. In addition, Israeli police announced it will intensify its presence around synagogues and in public areas in Israel during the holiday prayers.