HEBRON, Monday, July 29, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces today sealed off a road that connected Khirbet Shaab al-Butum to Ma’in village, to the south of Hebron city, said a local activist.

Coordinator of the Anti-Wall and Anti-Settlement Committees in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour told WAFA that Israeli forces provided protection to a military bulldozer as it proceeded to sealed off the road connecting Shaab al-Butum to Ma’in village, located to the south of Yatta city, with earth mounds.

Jabour noted that the same road was rehabilitated time and again by the Anti-Wall and Anti-Settlement Committee after being destroyed by Israeli military bulldozers.

Khirbet Shaab al-Butum is among dozens of small communities located in the Masafer Yatta area which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Masafer Yatta is classified as Area C, which is under full Israeli military control. Area C makes up around 60 percent of the area of the occupied West Bank, which Israel plans to annex after expelling its Palestinian population.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since 1980s and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include demolition of homes, residential structures and animal barns. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces set up a roadblock at the entrance of al-Lubban al-Sharqiya village, south of Nablus, stopping villagers’ vehicles and inspecting passengers ID cards for over three hours.

K.F./M.K.