Netanyahu provocatively storms ancient village in Masafer Yatta

Hebron (QNN)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu carried out a provocative visit yesterday evening to the ancient village of Susiya in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.

WAFA reported that Netanyahu, accompanied by a large number of Israeli settlers, stormed the ancient village of Susiya amid tight military measures yesterday.

The Israeli occupation forces closed the area, declared it a closed military zone, and closed surrounding military checkpoints to prevent international and local solidarity activists and press crews from reaching the area.

Prior to the visit, the occupation forces attacked a mass march held in Masafer Yatta area in protest of Netanyahu’s anticipated visit.

Forces reportedly attacked hundreds of protesters, representatives of national activities and civil institutions, foreign solidarity activists and peace advocates, with sound bombs and tear gas canisters. No injuries were reported.

Protesters carried the Palestinian flag and chanted slogans condemning the Israeli occupation and the policy of ethnic cleansing which it carries out against Masafer Yatta residents in favor of settlement projects.

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.

These declarations have had a serious humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians and dramatically reduced the land available to them for residential and livelihood use.