(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
Today, following the directives given by the Israeli government, the Israel Defense Forces began removing 100 roadblocks in the Judea and Samaria region. The removal of these roadblocks will improve traffic between rural areas and villages to the central transportation arteries in Judea and Samaria. The decision to carry out these improvements was made in accordance with the directives of Defense Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak, and in light of security assessments by the IDF Central Command and the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi.
The IDF will remove roadblocks over the next several days, a process expected to end by the Eid el-Fitr holiday next week. Included in this measure was the removal of 74 obstacles in the Hebron area, 15 in Ramallah, 7 in Bethlehem and 4 in the Nablus district. The decision is a continuation of the government policy to improve the economic situation in the region while maintaining the operational flexibility of the Israel Defense Forces and security forces.
The IDF will continue to act in accordance with the decisions of the Israeli government and security assessments in order to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian population in the Judea and Samaria region and to secure the safety of Israeli citizens.