Israel settlers seize water well, damage crops near Hebron

Palestinian farmers inspect the damage done to their olive trees that were cut down by Israeli settlers [Issam Rimawi/Anadolu Agency]

Illegal Israeli settlers yesterday seized a Palestinian-owned water well, uprooted olive trees and damaged crops in Masafer Yatta, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.

Local sources said that a “group of extremist settlers, with the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, seized a water well in Maghayer Al-Abeed area of Masafer Yatta, and prevented citizens from accessing it and watering their sheep.”

The sources, who spoke to Wafa news agency, also said: “The settlers uprooted 120 olive seedlings and damaged about 50 dunums [12 acres] of agricultural crops, owned by several Palestinian farmers.”

In the Fateh Sidrou area, near Al-Zuwaidin community, north of Masafer Yatta, the settlers also destroyed 50 dunums of wheat and barley crops owned by local farmer Farid Al-Hamamda.

Israeli occupation forces also raided Sha’ab Al-Batem Elementary School, removed Palestinian flags from the school and seized them.

READ: Israel Forces to uproot 100 trees belonging to Palestinian farmer in Masafer Yatta

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