RAMALLAH, January 13, 2018 (WAFA) – The Israeli army closed off on Saturday entrances to the Palestinian village of Nabi Saleh, to the north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, and declared the area as a closed military zone barring entry into it, according to a local source.

Israeli forces set up barriers on the main road that leads to the village and prevented Palestinians, including journalists, from entering it apparently to disrupt holding a rally in support of Jerusalem and to protest Israeli measures against the village.

Bilal al-Tamimi, a local activist, told WAFA that Israeli soldiers are preventing non-residents from entering the village. However, some were able to enter by taking alternative yet longer routes to participate in the rally, which also includes a protest march to the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Halamish to condemn Israel’s settlement activities.

Despite of the closure, the protest march against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as well Israeli measures against the village did take place on Saturday as planned.

Dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and two were hit by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by Israeli forces, according to local sources.

Village residents have also been holding rallies in support of Ahed Tamimi, the 16-year-old girl who was arrested last month for pushing away Israeli soldiers who raided her home and village.

K.T./M.K.