RAMALLAH, Monday, January 11, 2021 (WAFA) – Two main entrances to al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah city, remain sealed off by Israeli occupation forces for the fifth consecutive day making movement of residents in and out of the village very difficult, according to an official.

Mayor of al-Mughayyir, Amin Abu Alia, told WAFA that the Israeli forces closed the entrances of the village using earth mounds and cement blocks, preventing the villagers from entering and leaving it and forcing them to take long detours to reach their workplaces.

Two days earlier, scores of the villagers suffocated from tear gas as Israeli forces cracked on a rally against the ongoing closure.

The village has become the scene of weekly protests against the Israeli occupation authorities’ plan to seize lands in Ras al-Tin area to make room for the construction of a new Israeli colonial settlement outpost, with ensuing confrontations leading to injuries.

Israeli settlers have recently commenced the construction of a new colonial settlement outpost in Ras al-Tin area and prevented the villagers and shepherds from reaching the area.

On December 4, 14-year-old Ali Abu Alia died of his wounds sustained from Israeli military gunfire during clashes between Israeli soldiers and protestors in the village.

K.F./M.K.