BETHLEHEM, February 11, 2016 (WAFA) - Israeli forces Thursday blockaded Nahhalin village, west of Bethlehem, for the third consecutive day purportedly searching for a Palestinian who allegedly carried out a stabbing attack in a nearby settlement, said a local municipal sources.

WAFA reported on Head of Nahhlin Local Council, Ibrahim Shakarneh, as saying that the villagers are experiencing harsh humanitarian situation as a result of the blockade.

Shakarneh added that the blockade has affected the overall aspects of villagers’ life, including education and health. 

Students and teachers were not able to work and reach their schools and patients were not able to access health care centers for treatment.

This came as forces blocked off all entrances leading to the village, preventing Palestinian villagers from leaving and entering as large numbers of troops were deployed in and around the village.

Forces imposed the blockade on Tuesday after an Israeli settler was stabbed and wounded while jogging outside the nearby settlement of Neve Daniel. The suspected Palestinian attacker had fled in the direction of Nahhalin.

Israeli troops detained at least one Palestinian after breaking into and ransacking his house and many others were interrogated. At least three others had been detained a day before.

According to Shakarneh, troops blocked all roads with earth mounds. They broke into and ransacked more houses, turned and occupied three other houses into military outposts.

He identified owners of the houses turned into military outposts as Jawdat and Ma’moun Najajreh as well as Hazem Shakarneh.

WAFA reported on local Palestine TV reporter Hani Fannoun as saying troops denied Palestine TV crew and other reporters access into the village. 

Last week, Israeli forces imposed a blockaded the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya for three consecutive days following a fatal stabbing and shooting attack that claimed the life of a female soldier and wounded another in Jerusalem. 

K.F/M.H