RAMALLAH, February 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Sunday intensified its restrictions on Palestinian residents’ movement to the south of Nablus, while closing down a road to the north of Ramallah, according to WAFA correspondent.

Israeli soldiers intensified their restrictions at Zatara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, where they searched and checked the identity cards of passing Palestinian cars, causing a traffic jam.

Meanwhile in Ramallah, Israeli soldiers closed down Ein Sinia road to the north in both directions, preventing residents from passing through.

B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian Territories, said in a report, “Israel's restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank are enforced by a system of fixed checkpoints, surprise flying checkpoints, physical obstructions, roads on which Palestinians are forbidden to travel, and gates along the Separation Barrier. The restrictions enable Israel to control Palestinian movement throughout the West Bank as suits its interests, in a sweeping breach of Palestinians' rights.”

It said that, “Prolonged checks and searches at some of the checkpoints, humiliating treatment by soldiers, and long lines deter Palestinian drivers from using some of the roads still open to their use. As a result, Palestinian movement on some of the main roads in the West Bank has decreased, and these roads are used almost exclusively by settlers.”

B'Tselem said that in February 2014 there were 99 fixed checkpoints in the West Bank: 59 are internal checkpoints, located well within the West Bank.

T.R/M.H