RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 8 (UPI) -- Israel Sunday closed the country to entry from the occupied Palestinian territories for the Shavuot holiday, sealing off the West Bank and Gaza.

The closure was announced on Israeli radio and was planned to last until Monday, reported KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency. It said the decision bans entry into the country from the occupied territories except for emergencies, and tightened security at checkpoints and demarcation lines to guard against terrorist attacks.

The decision was made by the Israeli Army, KUNA said.