Israel revokes Ramadan permits for Palestinians after attack

Israeli police officers examine the scene of a shooting attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire in central Tel Aviv Wednesday night, killing three people and wounding at least five others, Israel police said. AP

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it has revoked all permits for Palestinians to visit Israel and travel abroad during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, after two Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis and wounded at least five others in Tel Aviv.

READ: Four killed in shooting at Tel Aviv nightspot

COGAT, an Israeli defense body, said Thursday that all 83,000 permits have been frozen for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to visit family in Israel, attend Ramadan prayers in Jerusalem or travel abroad via Israel’s Tel Aviv airport.

In addition, the military says it has frozen Israeli work permits for 204 of the attackers’ relatives, and is preventing Palestinians from leaving and entering the West Bank village of Yatta, home to the attackers.

COGAT says entering or leaving will only be permitted for humanitarian and medical cases.