BETHLEHEM, February 14, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli forces continues to impose a severe blockade on the village of Nahalin, west of Bethlehem under the pretext of searching for a Palestinian on the run who allegedly stabbed an Israeli settler.

Ibrahim Shakarneh, head of Nahalin village council told WAFA the general situation is becoming more difficult with the ongoing closure, which is increasing Palestinians suffering.

He said Israeli soldiers continue to patrol the area, occasionally raiding families’ homes and spreading panic among children.

Shakarneh called on international human rights institutions to end the blockade and restore calm in the village.

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.

M.H