VIDEO - Siege imposed on Nablus removed. The IDF was expected Monday afternoon to open the roadblocks near the village of Asira a-Shamaliya, east of the West Bank city of Nablus, to Palestinian movement, thus removing the siege imposed on the city considered as the main producer of terror in the West Bank. The opening of the roadblock – after more than a year – is an additional step within the framework of easing of restrictions imposed on the Palestinian population in the West Bank, decided upon by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Video: Infolive.tv The opening of "Roadblock 804" is considered the most significant step to date within the framework of the Israeli gestures to the Palestinians. The movement of tens of thousands of Palestinians from Nablus to Jenin to the villages and in the opposite direction will now be made possible. This constitutes a considerable improvement in the population's conditions, allowing civilians to enter the city and its many institutions, but maye constitute a problem for the security community in terms of the passage of terrorists. As a result of the defense minister's instruction to open the roadblock, which until now was opened only for humanitarian reasons, the IDF prepared estimates of the situation which included an analysis of the warnings apparent in the region. The IDF will focus on intelligence information, however the operational activities in Nablus will continue – and a re-closing of the roadblock is possible. Since the beginning of the month a total of 60 roadblocks were removed throughout the West Bank, however to date, only at less significant passageways. Also under the framework of the ease of restrictions is the issuing of crossing permits to Palestinian businesspeople. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat recenty slammed Israel, saying that PR was the only issue at hand: "The closure has turned into a method. The West Bank is turning into one big prison, like the Gaza Strip." In a conversation with Ynet, security forces emphasized that "the IDF will continue fighting against terror infrastructures." Even at the beginning of the roadblock-removal process, security forces said that these steps would make things easier for the terror organizations and their operatives. While visiting the Hebron region a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that this ease of restrictions on the Palestinians are a way to build trust with the pragmatic elements among them, and that this is of great importance. Efrat Weiss contributed to this article