HEBRON, Tuesday, August 13, 2024 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists Tuesday evening assaulted peace activists and chased Palestinian herders at the Susya village in Masafer Yatta, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to local sources.

They said that Israeli colonists chased away livestock herders in the village and beat up international peace activists who attempted to protect the victims and document the assault.

The assailants smashed the camera of and forced the activists to leave the village.

Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets that 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 is 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 colonists living in colonial settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention.

K.F.