In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army intervened in protest demonstrations and Friday prayers held in areas threatened by settlements. During the intervention, it was reported that many Palestinians were affected by tear gas, and two Palestinians and five foreign activists were detained.
Harsh Intervention at Protest in Hebron
Dozens of Palestinians participated in a demonstration in the town of Dura, southwest of the city of Hebron in the southern West Bank, to protest Israeli authorities' seizure of the 'Jabal Tarusa' area and attempts to establish a new settlement unit there. The protesters performed Friday prayers near the area.
Israeli forces attacked the demonstrators using tear gas and plastic bullets. It was reported that many people were affected by the gas. It was stated that Israeli soldiers detained a group of youths, mistreated them, obstructed the work of ambulance teams, and stopped and searched their vehicles.
New Settlement Attempts
It was noted that Israeli forces, accompanied by settlers, began excavation and leveling work on citizens' lands in the area on Thursday, which is seen as preparation for the construction of a new settlement unit. These steps are a continuation of a series of settlement movements that began last week when settlers erected a tent and a banner in the area, announcing they had established a new settlement unit they named 'Doron'.
It was also reported that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich entered the area last Tuesday accompanied by ministers and settler leaders to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new settlement unit. According to Palestinian sources, 'Doron' is one of 19 new settlement units approved by the Israeli government last year for establishment in the West Bank.
Detentions in Ramallah
Residents of the village of Deir Abu Mash'al in the Ramallah district of the central West Bank and foreign activists organized a march towards the 'Al-Karane' hill south of the village after Friday prayers. The march aimed to protest settlers' attempts to establish an outpost on their lands.
It was stated that about two weeks ago, settlers erected a settlement tent in the area in preparation to take control. The Israeli army reportedly used gas bombs and live ammunition during the event and detained two Palestinian citizens and five foreign activists.
Anti-Settlement Activities
These events took place within the framework of Palestinian calls to hold Friday prayers and public events on lands threatened by seizure and settlement. The aim is to strengthen the Palestinian presence in these areas and resist Israel's settlement expansion.
According to official Palestinian sources, since October 8, 2023, Israeli violence in the West Bank has led to the deaths of 1,169 Palestinians, injuries to 12,666 people, the detention of approximately 23,000 people, and the displacement of 33,000 people.
