Southern District commander Tal Russo of the Israel Defense Forces declared the areas around the Ketziot Prison, as well as the Erez, Nitzana and Kerem Shalom crossings from Gaza into other parts of Israel and Egypt as "closed military zones", effective Monday, ahead of Tuesday's scheduled release of security prisoners in exchange for abducted soldier Gilad Shalit.

Under the declaration, the area is off limits to non residents, except for police and soldiers who are performing their duties, as well as people with permits from the authorities.