BETHLEHEM, January 31, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces closed on Friday the eastern and southern entrances to the village of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem.

WAFA correspondent reported that Israeli forces sealed off the eastern entrance near the cemeteries and the southern entrance with iron gates, preventing Palestinian vehicles’ access.

According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, the number of checkpoints and iron gates established by the Israeli occupation army in the West Bank has reached 898, with 18 iron gates installed since the beginning of 2025.

Restricting the movement is one of the main tools that Israel employs to enforce its regime of occupation over the Palestinian population in the occupied territories, said the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in Occupied Territories, B’Tselem.

“Israeli restrictions on Palestinians’ movement impose a life of constant uncertainty, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks or make plans, and frustrates the development of a stable economy,” said the center.

T.R.