Security Forces on High Alert as Israelis Mark Yom Kippur

Since Friday night, security and rescue forces are on high alert and deployed in large numbers in Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank for Yom Kippur.

Security was on high alert in Jerusalem in preparation for the Jewish High Holiday, train and bus services ended throughout the country and will resume Saturday evening. Streets and highways also emptied in observance of Yom Kippur.

Security crossings into Israel from the West Bank were temporarily closed Thursday night and will open again at midnight on Saturday in accordance with security assessments adopted by the IDF.

The security presence in Jerusalem was also beefed up on Friday in preparation for Yom Kippur.

Train services throughout the country ended at 11:30 a.m and Egged bus services stopped running at 1:30 p.m. Bus services will resume at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

As occurs every year, streets and highways across the country are also empty of private traffic in observance of Yom Kippur.

The fast will begin at at 4:41 p.m in Jerusalem, 4:58 p.m in Tel Aviv, 4:50 p.m. in Haifa and will last 25 hours.