NABLUS, May 27, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli army on Wednesday blocked off the main entrances of two Palestinian towns to the east of Nablus, preventing residents’ movements in and out of the towns, according to local sources.

Head of Beit Furik municipality, Aref Hnaini, told WAFA that Israeli army closed off the checkpoints placed at the entrances of Beit Furik and Beit Dajan, without giving any reason behind the closure.

Security sources said that the closure, which took place since 3:00 AM, will last until 1:00 PM Wednesday.

B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian Territories, said that in February 2014 there were 99 fixed checkpoints in the West Bank: 59 are internal checkpoints, located well within the West Bank.

The presence of such checkpoints within the West Bank has always raised questions regarding their so-called security purposes. Palestinians believe that such checkpoints are only set up to restrict Palestinians’ movement and control their lives.

It said that, “The restrictions still in place in the West Bank impede Palestinian access to areas where Israel is interested in retaining control, such as East Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, enclaves west of the Separation Barrier and settlements in the heart of Hebron.”

“These restrictions prevent Palestinians from using some of the main roads and highways in the West Bank – including parts of Route 60 and Route 443. Settlers travel freely along these roads, while Palestinians are shunted to longer routes using side roads.”

Al-Haq Center for Human Rights stressed that, “Hundreds of Israeli military checkpoints and barriers restricted the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank, hindering or blocking access to workplaces, education and health facilities, and other services.”

M.N./T.R.