Israel to fence off main road to Hebron

Israeli military personnel began Monday putting marks on the main West Bank road leading to Hebron where the Israeli authorities plan to build a fence to separate Palestinian towns and camps in the area from the road, according to a local activist. Ahmad Abu Hashem, secretary of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, a town north of Hebron, said Israel plans to build a four-meter high fence to separate Arroub refugee camp and Beit Ummar from the main road known as Highway 60 linking Jerusalem with Hebron. This Israeli measure aims to restrict Palestinian movement, isolate areas and prevent people who live there from pursuing normal life, he said, considering the move as collective punishment. Abu Hashem said the Israeli military had recently completed building a new road on Palestinian-owned land in Beit Ummar and Halhoul for the benefit of settlers only.