BETHLEHEM, June 20, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces on Friday prevented the Civil Defense (CD) from putting out a fire in the lands of Nahhalin town, west of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to a local source.

Mayor of Nahhalin, Jamal Najajreh, said that a fire broke out in a large tract of olive-cultivated land between Ayn Fares and al-Balad areas, located on the outskirts of the town and close to the Beitar Illit settlement, and the CD crew and local volunteers rushed to the area to put out the fire, but the occupation forces and colonists prevented them.

He added that the gun-toting soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at the CD crew and volunteers, without resulting in any injury.

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.

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

K.F.