JERUSALEM, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The general closure, imposed on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip prior to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, has been lifted, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday.

    According to an IDF statement released on Tuesday, as initially intended, Israel military forces removed the full closure, which was placed on Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip from September 29 to October 3 to secure a safe and quiet Yom Kippur.

    "The removal of the closure is in accordance with a decision made by the political echelon and in light of security assessments," the IDF statement said.

    "The IDF will therefore enhance its alertness to ensure the safety of the citizens of Israel, while preserving, to the best of its ability, the daily life of the Palestinian population." it said.

    Israeli security establishments regards the holiday period as a highly sensitive time. The police had raised the security alert to the highest level last Sunday throughout the country and reinforced its forces around synagogues on Monday.

    The security establishment has received 17 specific warnings of intended terrorist attacks in Israel prior to Yom Kippur, that could include suicide bombings, shootings, rocket fire and kidnappings.

    Yom Kippur, or "Day of Atonement," is a day of fasting, prayer and introspection. The country will close down from sunset Sunday until sunset on Monday. There were no public transportation, TV orradio broadcasts, and all shops and services were closed. Enditem