Israeli forces closed the main checkpoints leading to the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus on Friday, following an alleged attack that took place in Jerusalem by a Palestinian man believed to be from the district, Palestinian security sources said.
Security sources told Ma’an that Israeli forces closed all major entrances in and out of Nablus after a man identified as Baseem Abdul-Rahman Mustafa Salah, 38 and from the neighborhood of al-Jabal al-Shamali in Nablus, allegedy carried out a stabbing attack in occupied East Jerusalem, injuring an Israeli police officer.
Huwwara checkpoint, on the main route that connects the northern occupied West Bank to the southern, was one of the main checkpoints that were closed off, security sources said.
An Israeli army spokesperson did not immediately respond for comment.
Palestinian security forces added that Salah was not affiliated with any political party and that the man suffered from psychological and social disorders.
Last week, Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the village of Huwwara and closed the key checkpoint in addition to the nearby Beit Furik checkpoint east of Nablus.
Due to its sensitive location, residents living near Huwwara checkpoint frequently clash with both Israeli soldiers and settlers. Huwwara checkpoint has been closed on a number of occasions since a wave of unrest swept the occupied Palestinian Territory last month.
On Nov. 22 an Israeli settler ran over a 16-year-old Palestinian girl close to Huwwara checkpoint before shooting her dead, saying that he believed she was about to carry out a stabbing attack on soldiers at the checkpoint.
The settler was later identified by Israeli media as Gershon Mesika, the former head of the Samaria Regional Council, which represents Israel's illegal settlements in the northern West Bank.
