The Israeli army on Sunday arrested nine Palestinians at the Abu Holi military roadblock in central Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources said.

The Israeli army closed the roadblock, which was established in the main Salah El-Din road, and carried out searching campaigns among Palestinians who were barred from reaching their workplaces, the sources said, adding that nine of them were arrested and were led to unknown destinations.

The closure of the roadblock that is established on the only road connecting northern and southern parts of the strip, stranded thousands of Palestinians, while hundreds of cars were lined up on the two sides of the roadblock.

The Israeli measure came in line with the high state of emergency, which was announced by Israel following its killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Monday.

Meanwhile, Israeli sources said on Sunday that the Israeli army intensified its deployment in the surroundings of some West Bank cities and towns and established military checkpoints, after it

received warnings of possible attacks against Israeli targets.

In another development, Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army deployed a big number of forces around the Kfar Darom Jewish settlement established in central Gaza Strip.

The sources said that Israeli troops established barbed wires in the area, and notified tens of Palestinian families residing near the settlement to acquire approval to move in and out of the area after closing it.