HEBRON, February 20, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli army Saturday attacked a Palestinian family and forced them out of their land in the town of Beit Ummar to the north of Hebron, at gunpoint, according to a local activist.

Anti-settlement and wall activist Mohammad ‘Awad informed WAFA that armed Israeli soldiers attacked al- Salibi family while they were tending to their land in Beit Ummar’s Wadi Abu al-Rish area, and forced them off their land at gunpoint.

The attack against al-Sailibi family came despite a previous Israeli Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the family to work in their land, located adjacent to the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit Ein, at any given time, and without any interference from Israeli soldiers or settlers.

The family reported that soldiers told them that only one family member is allowed entry into the land, a condition that was rejected by the family. The owner noted that he, along with his family, left the land because they feared for their lives.

According to the Israeli human rights center, B’Tselem, “The existence of settlements leads to violations of many of the human rights of Palestinians, including the rights to property, equality, an adequate standard of living and freedom of movement.”

“The settlements have been allocated vast areas, far exceeding their built-up sections. These areas have been declared closed military zones by military orders and are off s to Palestinians, except by special permit.”

In a report issued on November 2015, B’Tselem said, “In total, the settlements and the areas under the jurisdiction of the regional councils cover 63% of Area C (under full Israeli control) and Palestinians are prohibited from construction or development in these areas.”

“The establishment of settlements in the West Bank violates international humanitarian law which establishes principles that apply during war and occupation. Moreover, the settlements lead to the infringement of international human rights law,” said the center.

T.R.