Settlers from the settlement of Routem north of the Jordan valley, in the West Bank initiated work to expand the settlement, Monday morning.

Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers placed a trailer in area they confiscated last year, and they surrounded it with barbed wire fence, which indicates that it will be a construction site for more housing units to expand the settlement soon.

Also the settlers have been seen planting olive trees on the land confiscated from its Palestinian owners at Al Malh’s mountain area in the valley. 

The Jordan Valley has been completely surrounded by Israeli forces for the last month, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has promised that his government will take it over and annex it to Israel.  The Jordan Valley is home to over 50,000 Palestinians who are currently encircled by Israeli forces as the settlement expansion continues.