HEBRON: Israeli colonists Tuesday evening attacked a Palestinian’s house in al-Karmel village, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to local sources.

They said that colonists mounted an attack on a house in the village, wreaking havoc inside and sabotaging trees and crops.

Meanwhile, colonists encroached upon and ploughed Palestinian privately-owned land in Masafer Yatta, at a time when the occupation forces continued to prevent the landowners from reaching and cultivating their land.

Colonists’ violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Colonists’ violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

Over 700,000 Israeli colonists are living in colonies across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law.

Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets that rely heavily on anim
al husbandry as their 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 colonists and soldiers targeting their main source of living – livestock.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since the 1980s and is 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.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA