Israel renews blockade of Palestinian cities

Israel has renewed its blockade of several Palestinian-controlled cities in revenge for a number of attacks by Palestinian militants in recent days.

The Israeli government ordered the army to seal off the West Bank cities of Qalqilya, Jenin, Tulkarem and Nablus.

Palestinian sources said the town of Bethlehem was also sealed off, with residents barred from leaving the area.

Since last year, Israel has enforced stringent blockades of Palestinian areas as punishment for attacks by Islamic militants.

The blockades have severely damaged the Palestinian economy and have left a huge proportion of Palestinians unemployed because of their inability to travel.

Israel says the measures are necessary to prevent militants from entering Israel.