Israeli troops seal towns in Golan protest area

Armed troops sealed off four Arab Druze villages in the Golan Heights Thursday as Israel tried to end a 13-day general strike by 13,000 Druze residents protesting Israel's annexation of the area.

Roadblocks were set up around the mountain communities of Majdal Shams, Mas'adeh, Ein Kinya, and Boukata and telephone lines were cut.

An Israeli spokesman said that he could give no reason for sealing off the area.