Israeli soldiers continued yesterday to strangulate cities in the West Bank by closing Nablus and imposing a curfew on Jenin and Barta’. This comes just a few days after Israeli forces killed four Palestinians during a raid in a refugee camp near Nablus.
Israeli forces closed the main military checkpoint to Nablus, called Huwwara, until 2 p.m. yesterday. East of Nablus, Israeli soldiers completely closed Beit Furik military checkpoint to effect a total blockade around the city. In Salem village near Nablus, phone lines destroyed by Israeli bulldozers were still down, and residents complained of random Israeli shooting and chasing of Palestinian youth in and near the village. In addition, Israeli settlers were reported to be throwing rocks at Palestinian cars between Ramallah and Nablus, without interruption from the Israeli soldiers and police watching over them.
Today, Israeli troops also closed the main entrances to Jenin, effectively imprisoning its residents. Those Jenin residents caught outside the city lines have been forced to stay in nearby villages. Soldiers also followed cars and prevented Jenin residents from using field roads to reach the city. In addition, Israeli troops today imposed a curfew in the nearby village of Barta’. Meanwhile, Palestinians being stopped at the Bardala checkpoint near Jenin reported physical assault by Israeli soldiers.
Numerous Israeli policies of collective punishment have flown in the face of the one-month-plus ceasefire maintained by the Palestinians. Among them include the imminent home demolitions of some 45 Palestinian families in the east Jerusalem neighborhoods of Jabel Mukaber, Sur bacher, Shuafat, and Beit Hanina. None of the families are charged with violent activity by Israel. Israeli policies of collective punishment like these are clear violations of the intent of “Road Map” and of the ceasefire, which call for an easing of restrictions on Palestinian life and an end to political assassinations. Nonetheless, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced Sunday that Israel will indefinitely freeze the “roadmap” peace process.
During the month-long Palestinian ceasefire, Israel has killed 14 Palestinians, wounding 329 (including 95 children) and arresting 331, bulldozed 4,000 dunums of land, uprooted 9,000 trees, and confiscated 19,373 dunums of land. Moreover, three more illegal outposts have been constructed and 41 new housing units have been built. Finally, the Israeli army has opened five new bypass roads for exclusive use by settlers and created 43 new checkpoints and roadblocks.
