RAMALLAH, May 30, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists on Friday continued laying the groundwork for the construction of a new colonial outpost in al-Mughayyir village, east of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, according to a local source.

Marzouq Abu Naim, deputy head of the village council, said that colonists proceeded with the preliminary construction work of a new colonial outpost on the villagers’ lands in the al-Qale‘ area, just 500 meters away from the village, and set up tents there.

On Thursday, the occupation authorities approved the construction of 22 new colonies in the occupied West Bank, including at previously dismantled sites.

The announcement will also include the formalisation of nine already constructed colonies, including the Homesh outpost, built on the site of another settlement evacuated in 2005.

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.

According to data from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, colonists carried out 231 acts of vandalism and theft of Palestinian property in the West Bank during April, affecting large areas of land and uprooting 1,168 olive trees.

Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

K.F.