NABLUS, A delegation of five ministers from the Palestinian cabinet today visited the northern West Bank city of Nablus in order to closely examine the consequences arising from the ongoing Israeli siege on the city.

For nearly two weeks, Nablus and the neighboring villages have been under a tight Israeli military siege, with most of the entrances to the city shut down by earth mounds, heavy concrete barriers, metal bars, or checkpoints.

The cabinet delegation included Minister of National Economy Khaled al-Ossaili, Minister of Transport Assem Salem, Health Minister Mai Alkaila, Minister of Public Works and Housing Mohammad Ziara, and Minister of Labor Nasri Abu Jeish.

So far, only two out of more than 10 entrances to the city were left partially open for the city’s nearly 160,000 inhabitants and the neighboring towns and villages, resulting in almost daily delays and traffic jams, with drivers often finding themselves with no choice but to drive on rough terrain in their way in and out of the city.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the Israeli siege of Nablus has stifled the lives of the city’s residents and dealt a hard blow to its economic activity, resulting in an estimated 60% decline in economic activity until last Thursday.

The delegation listened to the demands of institutions, including the national factions, to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and other matters.

The delegation also met with the Governor of Nablus Ibrahim Ramadan and the head of the Palestine Trade Unions, Shaher Saad, who confirmed that nearly 7,000 workers have been unable to reach their workplaces in Israel due to the siege, which means they have become unemployed.

He said that many workers in local factories were laid off because the factories had to cut down on production since they cannot export goods outside Nablus.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency