RAMALLAH, Friday, December 18, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli forces today quelled an anti-settlement protest in al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah, injuring a protestor, according to local sources.

They said that Israeli soldiers violently dispersed the participants of the rally called for to defend Ras al-Tin area against being seized to make room for the construction of a new Israeli colonial settlement outpost.

The soldiers opened fire towards the participants as the latter reached al-Qali‘ area, injuring a participants with a rubber-coated steel bullet and causing a number of others to suffer from tear gas.

This came a day after Israeli troops launched a large-scale search and arrest campaign in the town, arresting some 20 young men and posting threatening statements on the houses of the arrested men.

Ayman Abu Alia, whose son, Ali, was killed by Israeli military gunfire in the town in early December, and whom was detained and released several hours afterwards, that he was threatened that his other sons would be killed just like Ali.

Israeli forces shot and killed 15-year-old Ali Abu Alia, hitting him with a live bullet in the abdomen as he participated in the weekly demonstration in al-Mughayyer village on Friday, December 4.

He was standing among the crowds when an Israeli soldier shot him in the abdomen, killing him on his 15th birthday.

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

Settlers are also attempting to demolish the school in the area, constructed with funding from the European Union, in preparation to force the Palestinian Bedouin community from this area.

K.F.