JERICHO (Ma'an) -- A settlement security guard detained and handcuffed five shepherds on Friday, a local official said.

Wadi al-Maleh village council head Aref Daraghma said a security guard at Maskiyot settlement near Jericho detained the shepherds as they attended to their animals in an area near the settlement.

Israeli forces arrived at the location, Daraghma said, and Palestinian Authority liaison officials were contacted to intervene.