HEBRON, Tuesday, July 02, 2024 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists Tuesday afternoon attempted to forcibly pitch a tent in the midst of the Um al-Khair village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, according to a local activist.

Rateb Jbour said that a number of Israeli colonists, under army protection, barged their way into the southern West Bank village, provoked the residents and tried to forcibly pitch a tent close to the residents’ houses.

This came a day after representatives from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom made a joint visit to the village following a mass demolition operation on 26 June, the largest demolition operation in the West Bank since 7 October.

During their visit, the delegation called on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations in Um al Kheir along with the surrounding communities, which face numerous risks, including the risk of forcible transfer.

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 colonists 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.

K.F.