AKIPRESS.COM - Israeli soldiers have placed a concrete barrier near a Jewish holy site in the West Bank, ahead of a religious pilgrimage there this weekend, reports AP.

A crane lowered the concrete blocks onto a street in the West Bank city of Bethlehem outside Rachel's Tomb on Thursday. Israel's West Bank separation barrier stands between Bethlehem and the holy site.

Thousands are expected to visit the holy site on Saturday night, amid a monthlong wave of violence that has swept the region. Police say hundreds of police will be deployed around the area for the event.

Bethlehem has been the scene of violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops.