Israeli settlers raze Palestinian land in Masafer Yatta in an attempt to take it over
Hebron (QNN)- Israeli settlers today razed a Palestinian-owned land in Masafer Yatta in the south of the occupied West Bank in an attempt to take over the land.
Fouad al-Imour, a local activist, told WAFA that Israeli settlers from the illegal settlements of Maon and Karmiel, under army protection, razed agricultural lands in al-Oyoun al-Beed of Masafer Yatta and owned by three local families in order to take them over to expand their illegal settlements and connect them together.
Last week, the settlers razed a nearby land but were confronted by the residents and activists and were forced to leave it, explaining that the settlers have intensified their attacks on Palestinian-owned lands in Masafer Yatta community.
Masafer Yatta, a collection of almost 19 hamlets that rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood. It is located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control.
Home demolitions, confiscation of the most basic infrastructure and military training exercises are part of everyday reality in the area, forcing many to live in natural caves, as they vow to stay in Masafer Yatta no matter what the obstacles.
In many Palestinian communities located in Area C of the West Bank under full Israeli military control, Israeli-designated “firing zones” or “closed military zones” are forbidden for Palestinians to live on without permission from the Israeli occupation authorities, which is rarely granted.
