Israel bans Palestinians from coming into country

JERUSALEM -- Israel clamped a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Monday, banning all Palestinians from entering Israel, citing warnings of Palestinian attacks.

Earlier Monday, Israeli troops killed two suspected Palestinian militants, including an unarmed fugitive, and caught a would-be suicide bomber who hid an explosives-laden suitcase in a hotel.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz canceled measures aimed at easing restrictions during the Muslim feast of the sacrifice holiday this week, the ministry said. Quoting unidentified military sources, Army Radio said there were reports that militants intend to carry out terror attacks in the coming days.

Total closures are infrequent, though Israel has severely restricted access for Palestinians to Israel throughout 28 months of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

The military had said it would easerestrictions for workers to enter Israel and would allow Palestinians over age 45 to pray at a hotly disputed holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem during the holiday. The defense minister also instructed the army "to exhibit extra sensitivity" toward Palestinians during the holiday, said a military statement issued earlier Monday.

Canceling the orders meant that Israeli roadblocks on West Bank roads would remain in place, preventing Palestinians from moving around freely to visit relatives or work.

The restrictions have severely hurt the Palestinian economy and Palestinian morale since the restrictions were imposed shortly after the violence erupted in September 2000.

Before that, more than 100,000 Palestinians used to cross into Israel to work every day, a vital source of income for the impoverished territories. Palestinians contend the measures