December 12th, 2005
IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

Easing of restrictions for the Palestinian population in Judea and Samaria
and the Gaza Strip

Following decisions made by the political echelon and in continuation with
the IDF's policy of easing restrictions on the Palestinian population, the
following steps have been in effect since this morning, December 12th, 2005
in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip after the general closure that had been
placed on these areas following the suicide bombing attack in the city of
Netanya on December 5th, 2005.

Judea and Samaria:
Authorization for 16,000 Palestinian workers to enter and work in Israel.
Authorization for 12,500 merchants to enter and work in Israel.
Authorization for 1,000 workers to enter and work in the "Atarot" industrial
zone.
Authorization for 500 workers to enter and work in East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip:
Authorization for 7,000 workers to enter and work in Israel.
Authorization for 2,000 merchants to enter and work in Israel.
Authorization for 500 additional workers to enter Israel and work in
factories that were relocated into Israel following the implementation of
the Disengagement Plan.
The "Karni" goods crossing and "Suffa" security crossing will continue to
function at full capacity, as they have throughout the closure.