RAMALLAH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces on Wednesday closed all entrances to the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the central West Bank, while arresting 20 Palestinians during overnight raids across the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.
Local Palestinian sources said an Israeli bulldozer blocked all entrances to Sinjil, including agricultural roads, with earth mounds, effectively isolating the town and hindering residents' movement.
Sinjil Mayor Mu'taz Tawafsha told Xinhua that the closure, which he said aims to serve local Israeli settlers, has disrupted the town's economic and agricultural activities and prevented farmers from accessing their land.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners Club, a non-governmental organization, said in a statement that five women were among those arrested.
It said the Israeli army continues to carry out daily arrest campaigns throughout the West Bank, with the total number of arrests since October 7, 2023, exceeding 24,000. ■
