Israeli military cordon thrown around occupied West Bank village

Israeli occupation forces imposed a military cordon around the West Bank village of Hosan, south of Bethlehem, on Wednesday and launched a search and detain operation, Quds Press has reported. Cement blocks and checkpoints were erected on roads into the village, said local sources. Residents were prevented from leaving.

According to the Chairman of the Village Council, the Israeli occupation forces raided ten homes in the village, searched them thoroughly and spoke to children and youths. Hassan Hamamrah also said that the Israelis claimed to be looking for villagers who threw stones at vehicles on the settler-only highway leading to the illegal Jewish settlement of Beitar Illit.

The raid came hours after the Israeli occupation authorities distributed warning leaflets declaring the village to be a “closed military zone” for 24 hours.

Moreover, said Hamamrah, the Israelis closed a dirt road and access to farms in the area in an attempt to confiscate around 125 acres of Palestinian-owned land.