HEBRON, Tuesday, April 21, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers today assaulted a Palestinian shepherd and stole his livestock in Masafer Yatta in the southern Hebron hills.

Fuad al-‘Amur, a local activist, confirmed that two settlers assaulted the shepherd, a resident of the Khirbet Qwiwis village, while he was grazing his livestock and stole two sheep before fleeing the scene.

Khirbet Qwiwis is a community in Masafer Yatta,  a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living - livestock.

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

K.F.