Israel opens key checkpoint in occupied West Bank

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

NABLUS, West Bank (AFP) — Israel on Monday opened a key checkpoint near Nablus in the occupied West Bank, partly easing heavy travel restrictions around the flashpoint town, an AFP correspondent said.

An army spokeswoman said troops would completely remove checkpoint 804, allowing Palestinian vehicles and pedestrians to move unhindered between Nablus and the village of Assira al-Shamalia to the north.

But Mohammed al-Jawabri, the mayor of the village, said the army told him the checkpoint would not be removed but merely opened for automobile traffic to pass through between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm.

"This is not suitable because the soldiers can close it at any time," he told AFP.

The army spokeswoman denied that account, insisting that the checkpoint...