News / Palestine

Israeli troops blockade village in West Bank

Thursday, 04 February 2016 9:44 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 04 February 2016 9:44 AM ]

An Israeli policeman pushes a Palestinian woman away at a main entrance to the Old City of al-Quds (Jerusalem), February 3, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Israeli forces raid a village in the northern West Bank and put a blockade on it in a fresh escalation of violence that saw more than 100 extremists also storming the al-Aqsa Mosque.

At least 10 Palestinians were injured during the Thursday raid on Qabatiya near Jenin. Israeli troops also rounded up residents and took away a number of them after the killing of an officer.

According to the Israeli military, three men from Qabatiya attacked Israeli security forces with guns and knives outside the Old City of al-Quds Wednesday, killing an officer and injuring another before being shot dead.

Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with top security officials and decided to intensify security crackdown in the West Bank.

Separately, some 130 Israeli settlers, backed by police and intelligence forces, stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in yet another provocative act.

Palestinian sources said Israeli police set up checkpoints at the gates of the al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent Palestinian worshipers from entering the holy site.

Palestinian women react after scuffles with Israeli police forces at a main entrance to the Old City of al-Quds (Jerusalem), Feb. 3, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

The occupied Palestinian territories have recently been the scene of heightened tensions triggered by Israel’s imposition in August 2015 of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque.

The al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.

The restrictions have enraged Palestinians who say the Tel Aviv regime seeks to change the demographic status of the compound.

At least 171 Palestinians, including children and women, have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces since last October.

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