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HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Thursday morning set up a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village north of Hebron and fired tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinians, a local official said.

They also fired live bullets into the area without justification, according to Mohammad Ayyad Awad, spokesman of the local popular committee against the wall and settlements.

Awad said that the Israeli forces banned Palestinian vehicles, buses, and taxis from leaving the village or entering it. They also prevented taxis from picking up people from the entrance, he said.

They also set up a checkpoint next to a nearby military watchtower, he said.

Awad said Israeli forces used tear gas to keep him from the area.

An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls.