23 Israelis extracted from Nablus; group of deaf, mute Israelis had been invited for meal at home of deaf, mute Palestinian

A group of 23 deaf and mute Israelis are extracted from Nablus by security forces after they were reportedly invited by a deaf and non-verbal Palestinian man in the Area A city.

According to the Kan public broadcaster, the group of deaf and mute Israelis explained that they had been invited by the Palestinian for a meal at his home.

The report says that a local man had been surprised to see the group of Israelis walking in the Palestinian-controlled city and had alerted security forces.

The Israelis were detained by Palestinian security officers and then handed over to Israel, Kan says.

According to the Civil Administration, a branch of the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which manages civilian affairs in the West Bank, the group entered the city in six vehicles bearing Israeli license plates.

Officers from COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration provided the civilians with immediate protection and coordinated their transfer to security forces, the Civil Administration says.

The incident will be investigated by West Bank District Police.

Security officials reiterate that entry into Area A of the West Bank is prohibited by law for Israeli citizens and poses a danger to their lives.