HEBRON, Wednesday, February 13, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces destroyed water pipelines supplying water to Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, said a municipal source.

Mayor of al-Tuwani Muhammad Rab‘I said that a bulldozer escorted by Israeli forces destroyed the water pipelines that used to transport water to the collection of 19 Palestinian hamlets.

Rab‘i slammed the pipelines destruction as part of the Israeli measures intended to tighten the noose around the 1,500 Palestinian residents and displace them to make room for settlement construction.

Masafer Yatta is composed of dozens of small communities, which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood, and is classified as Area C, which is under full Israeli military control and makes up around 60 percent of the area of the occupied West Bank.

The area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living – livestock.

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.

He added that such Israeli measures aim to force residents out of their place in favor of expanding the settlements.

K.F.