- BIST10011,577-1.87%
- USD49.60+0.05%
- EUR55.68+0.11%
- GOLD4,105.40-1.07%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,766-1.50%
- October 22, 202614°
- BIST10011,577-1.87%
- USD49.60+0.05%
- EUR55.68+0.11%
- GOLD4,105.40-1.07%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,766-1.50%
- October 22, 202614°
Palestinian official says Israeli settlers seized park west of Ramallah
Ra'fet Khalifa, head of the Kafr Nime Village Council, said Israeli settlers had seized a park in the Wadi Hamad area west of Ramallah that was established with European Union funding. The settlers reportedly blocked access to an olive-growing area of around 3,000 dunums and installed an iron gate in the area.
Ra'fet Khalifa, head of the Kafr Nime Village Council, said Israeli settlers had seized a park in the Wadi Hamad area of Kafr Nime village, west of Ramallah. Khalifa said the settlers had installed an iron gate at the park's entrance and raised an Israeli flag inside.
The park, established with European Union funding around two and a half years ago, is located in an area classified as Area B under the Oslo Accords and bordering lands classified as Area C.
Division of areas in the West Bank
The Oslo II Agreement, signed in 1995, divided the West Bank into three areas. Area A is under the Palestinian Authority's administrative and security control, while administration of Area B was assigned to the Palestinian Authority and security control to Israel. Israel retains administrative and security control in Area C.
Iron gate installed at park entrance
Khalifa said village residents saw settlers establish a walking trail in the area around two weeks ago. During the same period, the settlers also took control of other parts of the village.
Two days ago, the settlers installed a gate to completely close off and separate the area. They later seized the park and hung an Israeli flag there.
Khalifa said the settlers had prevented village residents from reaching around 3,000 dunums of land containing their olive trees. He said the landowners were therefore unable to reach the area to plow their fields and prune their trees ahead of the olive season.
The head of the Kafr Nime Village Council also said the settlers had closed the main gate on the road connecting the villages of Kafr Nime and Ras Karkar. He said residents had been removed from the road near an Israeli military tower and that the area had been closed to Palestinian access.
Claim that Israeli forces provided protection
Khalifa alleged that forces affiliated with the Israeli army often provided protection to settlers as they moved through the area.
The Palestinian Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said Israeli soldiers and settlers carried out 2,256 attacks against Palestinians, their land and property last July.
While Israel's raids and detention operations continue in the cities, towns and refugee camps of the occupied West Bank, settler attacks against Palestinians and their property have also increased since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
