JERUSALEM, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Thursday ordered the security establishment to impose a full closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, an army spokesperson told Xinhua.

    The closure will be imposed from Thursday night until midnight Monday due to the large amount of terror attack warnings received annually during the Jewish Purim holiday, which commences on Saturday night, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson.

    According to the order, heavy security forces will be dispatched around busy locations in cities and the area surrounding Jerusalem.

    Earlier, Israeli Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi also instructed the police districts, the Border Guard and traffic police to increase security measures until after the festival.

    Also on Thursday, IDF's large-scale arrest operation "Warm Winter", aiming at foiling the terrorist infrastructure, came to an end in the West Bank city of Nablus.

Israeli soldiers detain a demonstrator during a protest against Israel 's controversial separation barrier near the West Bank village of Um-Salamuna near Bethlehem February 28, 2007. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>