NABLUS (Ma’an) -- The Israeli army seized two Palestinian teenagers at an Israeli checkpoint near Nablus on Saturday, and said they were found in possession of weapons.

The two 17-year-olds from Nablus' Balata refugee camp arrived at Tappuah junction by taxi, and were apprehended by border police walking towards the checkpoint, an Israeli army spokesman said.

The army shut down the central junction and prevented Palestinian cars from crossing after the incident, a Ma'an correspondent said.

The military spokesman said the teens were found carrying three pipe bombs, a gun, two knives and some ammunition. They were transferred to Israeli intelligence for questioning, he added.