Thursday, August 21, 2008

Israel continues to ease West Bank security

Despite Palestinian denials, evidently Israeli easing of restrictions and security checks in the West Bank is real enough and has been proceeding apace. It will continue as long as there is no terror threat. Inasmuch as the easing of security is not in the interest of extremists, that may not be very long.
 
August 21st, 2008

IDF SPOX: Crossing between Ramallah and its southern villages opened for free passage

As of today, August 21st, 2008, the Bir Nebala crossing, which connects Ramallah with villages to its south, will be open for free passage of Palestinian vehicles. It is the third crossing to be opened this month.

The crossing was opened following security assessments in the Central Command and as part of the relief plan authorized by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Ehud Barak, and the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

Approximately 100 IDF checkpoints were removed in the past months in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. In addition, several major crossings were opened for free passage, improving the free movement of the Palestinian population. The Judea Junction crossing, which connects Hebron and the Tarqumiya crossing, was opened for free truck passage on August 7th, 2008 and the Ganot crossing, which connects Nablus and villages to its north, was opened for free passage of vehicles on August 9th, 2008.

Other recently opened crossings include: Rimonim crossing between the Jordan Valley and Ramallah; The Asira Ash-Shamaliyah checkpoint between the Nablus area and the northern Samaria; The A'rava crossing between Jericho and the Dead Sea area; The "Sheep Junction" crossing between Hebron and its northern villages.

The IDF will continue with the easing of restrictions for the benefit of the Palestinian civilian population who are unassociated with terrorism, while doing its utmost to combat terror infrastructures and maintain the security of Israeli civilians.

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