Israeli occupation forces closed this morning the Qalandia checkpoint, located on the main road connecting occupied Jerusalem with Ramallah and the north of the West Bank, blocking the movement of Palestinian vehicles and civilians.
Eyewitnesses reported that the checkpoint’s closure caused a severe traffic jam, with a long queue of vehicles stretching for several kilometers.
The checkpoint closure coincided with the deployment of thousands of Israeli police officers across occupied Jerusalem. They reportedly harassed Palestinian civilians and those coming to perform Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The occupation forces also intensified inspection procedures at the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Old City ahead of the weekly Friday prayer and sermon.
Israeli occupation authorities decided this week to impose a full closure of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and to close the border crossings with the Gaza Strip, starting from today. This decision was made under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
