Israel suppresses Palestinian protest against illegal military watchtower

Israeli occupation forces [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces yesterday suppressed a sit-in organised by Palestinians in the south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank in order to protest Israel’s construction of an army watchtower near the village of Dura.

Last week, reports emerged that Israeli forces had declared the Kharsa Triangle – an area of land south of Dura village – a closed military zone, and had forbidden Palestinians from entering the area.

Israeli bulldozers began levelling lands in the cordoned area, in what locals told Ma’an was preparations for the construction of an Israeli military watchtower. The Israeli army had also confiscated local Palestinian lands near the triangle in order to begin the construction, locals said.

The sit-in was launched by the National Campaign to lift the siege in Hebron in protest of the Israeli army’s new activities in the area that are expected to severely obstruct the movement of Palestinians.

Local sources told Ma’an that protesters performed Friday prayers near the site. However, following the prayers, Israeli forces prohibited protesters from gathering together for the sit-in, and began shooting sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the Palestinians.

Locals also said that Palestinian worshippers were assaulted during the incident.

More protests took place on Friday by Palestinians in occupied Hebron, denouncing Israeli policies.

Israeli occupation forces look on as Palestinians perform prayers during a demonstration against illegal settlements in Hebron, occupied West Bank, on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz /Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces look on as Palestinians perform prayers during a demonstration against illegal settlements in Hebron, occupied West Bank, on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz /Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces look on as Palestinians perform prayers during a demonstration against illegal military watchtower in Hebron, occupied West Bank, on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz /Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupation forces use force to stop an unarmed Palestinian protest in Hebron against illegal Israeli settlements on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadou Agency]

Raising the flag: Palestinians demonstrate in occupied Hebron against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency]

Raising the flag: Palestinians demonstrate in occupied Hebron against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on 4 August 2017 [Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency]