Israel ends siege of Palestinian village in occupied West Bank

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK – JUNE 17: Soldiers expropriate a Palestinian’s car as they launch raid houses of the three Palestinians who were killed after they had allegedly attempted to attack the Israeli soldiers, in Deir Abu Mash’al village, Ramallah, West Bank on June 17, 2017. ( Issam Rimawi – Anadolu Agency )

Israel’s occupation forces have ended the siege imposed on the Palestinian village of Deir Abu Mesh’al to the west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Quds Press reported on Friday.

The siege was imposed after the Israeli border police killed three Palestinians from the village after it was alleged that they had killed an Israeli soldier in Jerusalem. The move by the Israeli forces lasted a week.

According to the village Mayor, Imad Zahran, the Israelis blocked the entrances to the village with mounds of sand and cement blocks. Vehicles were unable to enter or leave. Anyone trying to come or go on foot was “harassed” by the troops carrying out “random” checks.

Collective punishment is a common measure used by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian villages and cities whose residents are killed following allegations of attacks on Israeli soldiers.

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