According to reports, around eight bus loads of settlers accompanied by at least 20 Israeli military vehicles invaded the city of Nablus and dropped the settlers at Joseph's Tomb to conduct a religious ceremony at the site.

Settlers remained on the site for few hours. Some clashes were reported between the Zionist regime troops and Palestinian settlers who were trying to halt Israelis to enter the tomb.

Joseph's Tomb is believed to be the site were Joseph, son of Jacob, was buried and is a holy shrine for Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Although the site is in the city of Nablus, which is under the Oslo Accords is defined as Zone A and therefor under Palestinian administrative and security control, the site of Joseph's Tomb was under Israeli control until they left in October 2000.

According to Palestinian sources, the Zionist regime has decided to establish a military base near the Tomb to get thorough control of the region.

NJF/NJF