HEBRON, January 21, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists Tuesday destroyed 150 olive saplings in Masafer Yatta, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to a local activist.

Osama Makhamra said that several colonists barged their way into the Susiya village and vandalized some 150 recently planted olive saplings belonging to four farmers, all members of the Hreini family.

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 the 1980s and is accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include the 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.