NABLUS: Israeli occupation forces Tuesday evening tightened their military restrictions around the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, according to local and security sources. They reported that the occupation forces sealed off the permanently staffed checkpoint at the western entrance of Deit Sharaf in both directions, citing an attempted stabbing attack as the reason.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the occupation forces also intensified access restrictions at the permanently staffed checkpoint of al-Muraba’ah and the intermittently staffed checkpoint of ‘Awarta, located southwest and south of Nablus, respectively. These measures involved stopping Palestinian-registered vehicles, inspecting passengers’ ID cards, and causing significant traffic congestion.
Israel’s control over Palestinian movement is maintained through a complex network of over 100 fixed checkpoints, flying checkpoints, settler-only roads, and various other physical barriers. These closures and additional measure
s, justified under security pretexts, are seen as means to reinforce Israel’s 57-year-old military occupation of the West Bank. The occupation is characterized by a settler colonial project, enforced through routine and often deadly violence against Palestinians.
