Ruptly
"Israeli military forces deployed in various locations, including the eastern area of Nablus on Wednesday, as thousands of Israeli settlers allegedly entered Joseph's Tomb in the northern occupied West Bank under heavy security protection. Footage filmed early on Wednesday morning from the village of Balata al-Balad shows Israeli military vehicles blocking roads and streets and moving through the area. "Just now, the Joseph’s Tomb area was stormed, and the entire eastern area was closed off, including Iraq al-Tayeh Road, which is the only access to the eastern area," said Jarir Qanadilo, a paramedic with Medical Relief. "Some people are sending us urgent messages asking to be evacuated from the Iraq al-Tayeh area, but unfortunately, the army is stationed at the entrance and has completely closed off the area," he added. The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported on Wednesday that Israeli forces 'stormed the eastern area of Nablus and deployed in several locations, taking positions on the rooftops of houses', noting that 'thousands of settlers stormed Joseph’s Tomb early Wednesday morning, east of Nablus.' The agency also stated that 'more than 5,000 settlers entered Joseph’s Tomb, including Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and members of the Israeli Knesset, amid the closure of several checkpoints surrounding the city.' As of the time of reporting, the Israeli military had not commented on reports of its forces being deployed in Balata village. Joseph's Tomb is a site of religious and national significance, venerated by Jews as the burial place of biblical patriarch Joseph while also holding historical and religious importance for Christians and Muslims, making it a recurring flashpoint in the ongoing conflict. Tensions in the West Bank have continued since October 7, with more than 759 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to the latest figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. During the same period, more than 26 Israelis were killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians in the West Bank, according to official Israeli statistics."
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