Palestinian officials denounced Israel for reimposing two roadblocks outside Jericho, saying the move violates a 2005 deal giving them security control over the West Bank city.
The Israeli army confirmed that the roadblocks, one on the route to Jerusalem and the other leading to Ramallah, had been reestablished because a number of wanted militants had been freed from jail in Jericho.
‘As a result of the release of several dozen prisoners from the jail in Jericho, the (army) has decided to step up security checks around the city in order to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians,’ the military said on Wednesday.
One of the controls had been deactivated and the other one demolished last March under the accord giving the Palestinian Authority responsibility for security in the area.
‘Israel has not officially informed us that it had annulled the 'Jericho Accord,' but the steps taken on the ground amount to the same,’ said General Kamal al-Qaddumi, chief of security in Jericho.
‘The Israelis told us that they were reinforcing security around the city and reestablishing the roadblocks on the grounds that we had not respected the 'Jericho Accord' and had freed wanted militants.’
Thirty-nine activists of the radical Islamic Jihad movement, wanted by Israel for anti-Israeli attacks, were freed on February 9. Another seven people belonging to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, were set free the same day.