JERUSALEM, March 12 (UPI) -- Israel's army has temporarily sealed off the West Bank and tightened security at the old city of Jerusalem to head off possible disturbances, officials said.
The move follows Israel's announcement this week it plans to build 1,600 new apartments on land in Jerusalem that is claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians, CNN reported Friday.
The closing of the West Bank began at midnight Thursday local time and will end at midnight Saturday "in accordance with security assessments," Israeli Defense Forces said.
Jerusalem police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said security in and around the old city was tightened Friday to prevent rioting.
One Palestinian was injured in the old city after Israeli police restricted younger worshipers from entering the al-Aqsa mosque for Friday prayers, Israel's Ynetnews reported.
