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QALQILIYA (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces temporarily detained the Palestinian Minister of Awaqf (the Islamic endowment) and Religious Affairs and those accompanying him at an Israeli checkpoint on Friday as the minister was attempting to enter Qalqiliya from Nablus.

Youssef Ideiss said that Israeli forces stopped his car, demanded him to step out, and began searching it. He said that they also confiscated devices from the car.

Israeli forces “deliberately” detained him at the checkpoint for more than an hour until the Palestinian liaison intervened and secured his release, Ideiss said.

He added that Israel’s policies against Palestinian officials “attempting to carry out their duties” was in “violation of international human rights laws.”

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an she would look into the incident.