Israeli occupation police shut roads leading to Mount Meron on Sunday after the annual Lag B’Omer pilgrimage was canceled over “severe security threat” caused by Hezbollah attacks.
The occupation police said that “due to tightened restrictions in the north amid repeated Hezbollah violations of the shaky ceasefire, the annual Lag B’Omer pilgrimage on Mount Meron is canceled and roads surrounding the area will be shut for several days,” as cited by The Times of Israel.
A number of roads will already be closed today ahead of the holiday, which begins Monday evening, the Israeli media out let reported, adding that on Monday morning an additional number of roads will be shut to prevent people from accessing the site, and will remain closed through Wednesday.
Israeli police said that checkpoints set up on roads leading to Meron “will not allow entry to anyone who is not authorized and whose ID does not show that they are a resident of the town.”
In addition, Border Police forces equipped with advanced surveillance tools and off-road vehicles “are being deployed to the forests around the area to prevent attempts to reach the site on foot,” the occupation police said.
“As part of preparations, police identified serious and extreme online posts calling on the public to equip themselves with offensive gear, pepper spray, and other means to harm police officers,” the Israeli police statement read.
“Any attempt to act violently against security forces or disturb public order will be met with a firm response and zero tolerance. The police will not allow extremist elements to turn the holy site into a scene of violence and will act to bring to justice anyone who incites violence or acts against officers carrying out their duties.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled the 2026 Lag b’Omer mass celebration during a security Cabinet discussion last Sunday (April 26).
Occupation authorities cited multiple risks, including continued rocket fire, the site’s proximity to the Lebanon border, and concerns over the ability to evacuate large numbers of people in the event of an attack, Israeli media reported.
Source: Israeli media (translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website)