SALFIT, March 14, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists Friday razed a large tract of Palestinian-owned land in the al-Matwai Valley to the west of the occupied West Bank city of Salfit, according to Salfit Governorate.

The Governorate said that colonists, under the protection of the occupation forces, leveled dozens of dunums of land in Wadi al-Matwi, located between the city of Salfit and Bruqin town, laying the groundwork for the construction of a new colonist-only road to a nearby colonial outpost.

It added colonists effectively uprooted approximately 40 perennial olive trees and razed large tracts of farmland belonging to Nafez Ayoub, Riyadh, and Zuheir Zahed.

Considered one of the vital areas that link Salfit to the western cluster of villages, al-Matwi area has been a target of frequent assaults by Israeli colonists, including discharging the wastewater coming from Ariel colony, chasing Palestinian farmers and shepherds and denying them access to their farmland and pastures.

Colonists’ violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Colonists’ violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

Over 700,000 Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

K.F.