For religious and traditional Jews, the 25-hour period of fasting and praying was set to begin at 5:40 p.m. in Jerusalem and 5:55 p.m. in Tel Aviv. It will end on Wednesday at 6:51 p.m. and 6:53 p.m. respectively.

A recent poll found that this year some 60 % of Jewish Israelis plan on fasting on Yom Kippur holiday, but only 23% of those surveyed said that they would attend all the day’s lengthy synagogue services.

Security and rescue services, however, remain on high alert.

For the Magen David Adom Rescue service, Yom Kippur is one of the busiest days of the year with hundreds of extra medics, paramedics, ambulances and volunteers deployed across the country.

Most injuries over Yom Kippur come from accidents on the roads as tens of thousands of children and teens take advantage of the deserted streets to ride their bicycles. Other common Yom Kippur injuries are caused by parents leaving children unattended outside synagogues and, of course, dehydration and complications from fasting.

Hospitals were working with limited emergency medical crews only.

Weather was forecast to be warmer than usual and sunny Wednesday with a high of 29°C (84°F) forecast for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, increasing the chances for dehydration for people fasting.

The Israeli army implemented a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Monday night — preventing any but humanitarian cases entering Israeli territory — as is routine policy during holidays, which are considered a particularly sensitive time.

In Jerusalem police were on high alert in the area of the Old City to prevent friction as many thousands of Jewish worshipers flock to the Western Wall for prayers.

On Monday night tens of thousands took part in penitential prayers at the Wall.

(Excerpt from The Times of Israel.)