Israeli forces seal off occupied West Bank town

Israeli occupation forces sealed the entrances to the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, on Saturday, isolating it from the surrounding area for a short time. In a telephone interview with the local media, the Mayor of Azzun said that the closure was effected by several Israeli military vehicles. During the closure, said Mayor Ahmed Omran, the free movement of the town’s residents was hindered.

The Mayor added that the Israeli occupation forces have been taking such action frequently on the pretext of “maintaining the security of the main road” which runs close by. He pointed out that hundreds of cars had to alter their routes going to three West Bank cities – Nablus, Qalqilya and Tulkarem – as Azzun is the gateway to all three.

“Such Israeli measures are meant to crack down on the Palestinian,” added Mayor Omran, “especially at the beginning of the week when Palestinians try to go to their jobs and students head for their universities.”