JORDAN VALLEY, November 12, 2016 (WAFA) – The Israeli military ordered nine families living in al-Ras al-Ahmar area in the northern Jordan Valley to leave their homes for two days because the army plans to hold military drills in the area, a local official said on Saturday.

Aref Daraghmeh, who served as mayor of a number of villages in the Jordan Valley, told WAFA that the families have been ordered to abandon their homes on Sunday and Monday from mid-day until nine in the evening on each day because to allow for military exercises in that area.

Palestinians say the army holds exercises in areas dwelled by Palestinian Bedouin families is a way to push them off their homes and land as a prelude to taking it over and build settlements in that area.

Even though few Jewish settlements are found in the same area, the army never holds exercises near them.

Palestinians also say the army usually leaves live ammunition behind it, which can cause serious harm to children or shepherds herding in the area.

M.A.