BETHLEHEM, February 15, 2016 (WAFA) – After a six-day blockade that kept the village of Nahalin, west of the city of Bethlehem completely sealed off from its surroundings and under a tight Israeli military surveillance, official sources confirmed the blockade was lifted.

Bethlehem governor Jibrin al-Bakri said the Palestinian liaison office exerted considerable efforts to arrange ending the blockade, which crippled the life of more than 7000 people.

Israeli forces imposed a severe blockade which lasted for six days 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 forces blocked off all entrances leading to the village, preventing families 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.

M.H