HEBRON, Monday, October 25, 2021 (WAFA) – Israeli forces today tore down and seized a tent in Masafer Yatta in the southern Hebron hills, according to local sources.

Coordinator of the Protection and Steadfastness Committees in Masafer Yatta, Fouad al-Amour, told WAFA that the Israeli forces tore down and seized a solidarity tent set up by the committee in Khirbet al-Mafqara community.

He noyed an uptick in Israeli military and settler attacks against Palestinians in Masafer Yatta as a means to force them to leave their lands in favor of colonial settlement construction.

Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living - livestock.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since 1980s and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.

There are over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in colonial settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

K.T./ K.F.