BETHLEHEM, June 14, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists on Sunday filled agricultural lands with dirt and rocks in the town of Nahhalin, west of Bethlehem.
Local sources told WAFA that a group of colonists, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, dumped soil and rocks on lands in the Al-Jamala Valley area west of the town. The targeted lands are planted with approximately 200 olive trees and are adjacent to the colony of Beitar Illit.
The sources added that Al-Jamala Valley has for years been subjected to Israeli occupation violations through the discharge of wastewater onto its lands, resulting in damage to hundreds of grapevine, almond, and peach trees.
The same sources explained that the land-filling operation aims to expand the fence of the Beitar Illit colony, noting that Al-Jamala Valley spans hundreds of dunums and that the latest encroachment could result in the seizure of nearly 200 dunums.
Nahhalin has long been targeted by Israeli occupation measures, including land confiscation, restrictions on urban expansion, and the demolition of homes and agricultural structures, in favor of colonial settlement expansion.
K.T
