Israeli forces closed the Nablus-area Huwwara military checkpoint Thursday afternoon, following incidents of rock-throwing that hit Palestinian cars, that local officials said was done by local settlers.

Ghassan Doughlas, the Fatah official charged with monitoring settlement activity in the northern West Bank, said dozens of settlers from the nearby Yitzhar settlement threw rocks at Palestinian cars causing damages, but no injuries.

Doughlas said that following the incident, soldiers closed the checkpoint and routed cars through the Awarta checkpoint, forcing travelers heading north to detour around the city of Nablus.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the checkpoint was closed for "routine activity" and said she was not sure when it would re-open for Palestinian vehicles.

Doughlas said civilians traveling in the northern region should avoid roads near Israeli settlements for fear of continued attacks.

Israeli forces had also closed the Huwwara checkpoint on Monday as Israel observed Independence Day.