HEBRON, Wednesday, June 12, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday morning demolished a residential structure in the village of Um al-Khair, to the east of Yatta, in  the southern Hebron hills.

Head of Um al-Khair Village Council Ibraheem al-Hathaleen told WAFA that Israeli forces stormed the village and demolished a wall and a residential structure belonging to local resident Ali al-Tabna.

Umm al-Khair is the largest Palestinian 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.T./ K.F.