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Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Nablus on June 18, 2014. (AFP/Jaafar Ashtiyeh, File)
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NABLUS (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces early Thursday seized eight buses belonging to a Palestinian transportation company in Nablus after the organization transported Palestinian youths to partake in demonstrations, local sources said.

The offices of the al-Tamimi bus company were stormed, locals said, and the eight buses were transferred by Israeli forces to Huwarra military checkpoint south of the occupied West Bank city.
Regular demonstrations -- often organized by local universities -- have taken place since last month near the Israeli military checkpoints that surround and control movement in and out of Nablus, leading to large-scale clashes between youth and Israeli soldiers.

Two Palestinians have been killed at the Huwwara checkpoint this week. Both youths were 16 years of age and from the New Askar refugee camp in Nablus, sparking outrage among Palestinians across the area.

Both teens were killed after alleged attacks at the checkpoint. No injuries of Israeli military or civilians were reported in either case.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that several buses were seized overnight Wednesday from the Palestinian transport company, which they identified as an "illegal association known to have links to the Hamas terror organization."

The spokesperson told Ma’an that the buses were taken on the grounds that the company has been providing transportation for large groups to partake in "violent riots" against Israeli forces.