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Palestinians call on int'l community to lift Israeli "siege" on Hebron

Xinhua, July 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Palestinian government on Sunday called on the international community to lift the "siege" imposed by Israeli forces on Hebron, south of West Bank, since July 2.

"We call upon international community institutions and legal orgazniations to intervene immediately to force Israel to lift its unjust siege on the governorate of Hebron, through which it is prosecuting, detaining and torturing unarmed civilians," government spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said in an emailed press statement.

Al-Mahmoud described the actions of the occupation forces as "collective punishment" which is "part of the official Israeli government policy," adding that it is the cause of tension and instability in the area.

Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in the southern West Bank towns of Hebron on Sunday, without reporting any casualties.

Palestinian sources said that tersely army troops continue to impose a restricted siege surrounding the city of Hebron and several nearby towns, villages and refugee camps and storm into homes searching for "wanted Palestinians."

Israeli public radio reported that an Israeli settler in his thirties was injured lightly Saturday night after his car was shot at near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc south of Hebron.

The radio said at six Palestinians were arrested in different areas in the West Bank for different charges.

Israeli army announced a siege around Hebron Governorate on July 2, after a Rabbi was killed and three others of his family were injured after being shot at in their vehicle in southern Hebron.

Mounting tensions between Palestinians and Israel since last October have left over 200 Palestinians and 35 Israeli killed, according to official reports. Endit