HEBRON- The Israeli occupation forces today prevented Palestinians and foreign solidarity activists from reaching the village of al-Tuwana in Masafer Yatta, in the South Hebron Hills, to support the village residents resisting Israeli settlements and attempts to dislodge them from their lands and homes.
The coordinator of the Wall and Settlements Resistance Committees, Rateb Jabour, told WAFA that this activity was intended to support residents in the Masafer Yatta communities in light of the attacks they face from the occupation authorities, which seek to seize their lands in favor of settlements and the establishment of military training camps.
He said the soldiers prevented the participants in the activity from reaching al-Tuwana, and seized the keys to their vehicles while shooting sound bombs and tear gas at them to disperse them.
Three journalists were hurt in the process, including WAFA photojournalist Mashhour Wehwah, who was hit by a tear gas canister, and Fadi Khlaf from Palestine TV, who lost consciousness, as well as photojournalist Wisam Hashlamon.
The three were treated on the spot by medics from the Red Crescent Society.
Since the Israeli High Court endorsed on May 4 the uprooting and displacing of more than 1000 Palestinians from their homes in 12 communities in Masafer Yatta under the pretext of turning the area into a firing and military training zone, the occupation forces have escalated their repressive practices in Masafer Yatta, through demolitions, stopping construction, and preventing farmers and herders from reaching their fields, along with other repressive measures aimed at seizing more lands for the benefit of the settlements enterprise.
Source: Palestine News & Information Agency