January 16th, 2006

IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

Head of Central Command signs decree declaring the Jewish community in
the city of Hebron a closed military zone

Following the recent events in the city of Hebron the Head of the
Central Command, Maj. Gen. Yair Nave, signed a decree today, January
16th 2006, declaring the area of the Jewish community in the city of
Hebron and the roads leading to it as a closed military zone.

Over the course of the past few days hundreds of Israeli citizens have
participated in violent riots and incidents of public disorder in the
Jewish community in Hebron. These riots and disorders included the use
of physical and verbal violence, the hurling of rocks, eggs and paint at
Israeli security forces, endangering their personal safety and harming
Palestinian residents and their property.

Following these incidents the Head of the Central Command has signed a
decree forbidding the entry and presence of Israeli and foreign
civilians who are not residents of the Jewish community in Hebron into
that area.

This decree expires on January 22nd 2006.

Civilians who are not residents of the area in question and who under
special circumstances wish to enter the closed military zone may submit
a request with the 'Judea' regional brigade and receive an entry permit.