Israeli forces uproot 500 olive trees in West Bank

Israeli occupation forces this morning uprooted hundreds of olive trees in the Skaka neighbourhood of the occupied West Bank city of Salfit, Safa news agency reported.

This is in line with Israel’s plans to expropriate Palestinian land in the area, the news site said.

Safa reported eyewitnesses saying that Israeli military bulldozers uprooted 500 trees in an area spanning 35 dunams (0.035 square kilometres).

A curfew was imposed around the neighbourhood and Palestinians were banned from entering or leaving it.

Palestinians said Israel plans to include the land in the illegal settlements of Nofei Nehemia and Rechelim.

A Palestinian farmer inspects the damage done to his olive trees that were cut down by Israeli settlers on 11 April 2017 [Issam RimawiAnadolu Agency]