Israeli army vehicles seizing equipment and goods from the coal factories near Ya‘bad.

JENIN, November 17, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli army units accompanied by bulldozers raided early Thursday coal manufacturing businesses outside the town of Ya’bad, west of Jenin in northern West Bank, and seized trucks, equipment and wood, according to local sources.

Mahmoud Abu Baker, owner of one of the businesses, told WAFA that Israeli forces raided the area in the early morning hours and declared it a military zone. The forces then seized wood used for making fire, tractors, water tanks and other tools from the area.

Saleh Amarneh, mayor of the nearby village of Zabda, told WAFA that the Israeli authorities claimed that they had handed owners two years ago notices to remove the factories that are the main source of income for thousands of families.

He said the army gave the owners of the coal factories until Tuesday to remove what was left.

Amarneh said the Jewish settlers who live in illegal settlements nearby had asked the army to remove these factories claiming they pollute the environment.

Jenin governor, Ibrahim Ramadan, condemned the Israeli act, saying Israel is after residents to deny them their only source of livelihood considering that Ya’bad and area villages make a living from these factories.

M.N./M.A.