Key facts
- Israeli settlers uprooted over 170 olive trees in Masafer Yatta.
- The land seizure occurred in the Aghziwa area and was protected by Israeli soldiers.
- The affected land, approximately 50 acres, belonged to Palestinian-American physician Nidal Jboor and included olive, grape, and almond trees.
- Settlers have erected structures and brought livestock onto the land.
- The actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to displace Palestinian families and expand settlements.
Israeli settlers, under the protection of soldiers, have uprooted more than 170 olive trees and seized approximately 50 acres of Palestinian land in Masafer Yatta, a region in the southern West Bank. The land, which includes over 500 olive, grape, and almond trees, belonged to Palestinian-American physician Nidal Jboor and farmer Taleb Shahadeh al-Jundi.
Settlers have erected tents and structures and brought livestock onto Jboor's family land, a move described as the beginning of forced displacement. Jboor expressed heartbreak and fear, noting that his family is unable to resist the settlers and the military protection they receive. He highlighted that the settlers' weapons are often American-made, raising concerns about their use against Palestinian civilians.
This incident is part of a long-standing pattern in Masafer Yatta, where Israeli authorities have attempted to declare large areas as military zones, leading to demolitions and displacement of Palestinian families. Activists suggest these policies are aimed at facilitating settlement expansion rather than military training. The recent killing of activist Awdah Hathleen by a settler nearby underscores the dangers faced by residents.
The olive harvest is a crucial source of income for thousands of Palestinian families, making the destruction of these trees a significant economic blow. Families like the Jboors are struggling to fight the appropriation of their ancestral land through legal channels, but face delays and the retroactively legitimization of settler actions.