Israeli settlers set up new settlement outpost in occupied West Bank

Far-right Israeli groups gather to stage a march toward the Gaza border, demanding for the allegedly creation of illegal Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, where 2.3 million Palestinians reside, amid ongoing Israeli attacks on April 25, 2024 near Yad Mordechai, South Ashkelon, Israel. [Mostafa Alkharouf – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli settlers today erected tents in the village of Bitello, west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Wafa news agency has reported. According to local residents, a group of settlers entered the village to set up tents near Mount Mustafa Al-Ali and proceeded to raise several Israeli flags, in what is believed to be an attempt to establish a new settlement outpost in the area.

Residents also reported that this is the latest incident following the demolition of a building in the area by Israeli bulldozers a week ago.

All of Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank and the settlers who live in them are illegal under international law. They are also seen as an impediment to the internationally agreed two-state solution. Nevertheless, there are an estimated 800,000 illegal settlers living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers today stormed the site of Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. The settlers raided the area at dawn to perform Talmudic rituals while large forces from the Israeli army, accompanied by a military bulldozer, entered the east of Nablus, vandalising the streets around the shrine, reported Wafa.

Moreover, the Israeli forces fired live bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at local Palestinians attempting to protect the area. No injuries were reported.

Joseph’s Tomb is believed by Palestinians to be the burial site of local religious figure Sheikh Yousef Dweikat. Israeli Jews, however, believe that it contains the grave of Prophet Joseph (Yousef, in Arabic).

Tensions have been high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 38,150 Palestinians since 7 October. At least 570 Palestinians, including 136 children, have been killed in the same period, with more than 5,350 others wounded by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank.

READ: 15 Palestinians arrested as Israeli forces raid several cities in the West Bank

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