West Bank barriers come down
2004-06-14 20:42
Jerusalem - The Israeli army said on Monday it had demolished nearly one third of its roadblocks in the West Bank and freed up access to towns across the occupied territory.
Forty-two out of 150 Israeli roadblocks erected on West Bank roads have been dismantled, an army spokesperson told AFP.
"These steps have been taken to ease the difficulties of the Palestinian population," the spokesperson said.
Until now, Palestinians wanting to drive or take a taxi to another town had to cross roadblocks on foot and have their identification checked, before taking another taxi or car on the other side of the checkpoint.
Towns in the West Bank that were sealed off have been freed up, with measures in force around the northern town of Nablus lightened, the army said.
Restrictions on Palestinian men entering or leaving Nablus have been lowered to those aged between 16 to 30, from those aged between 16 to 35.
The spokesperson said in two weeks the ban - imposed in order to prevent terror attacks - would be limited to Palestinians aged 16 to 25.
According to Israeli press reports, the United States has put pressure on prime minister Ariel Sharon to stick to his plan to evacuate Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and ease movement curbs on Palestinians.