Israeli soldiers invaded, Saturday, the Wad Ben Zeid valley area, northeast of Yatta town and south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, handing a number of residents military orders informing them of an illegal grab of 2000 Dunams (494.2 Acres) of agricultural lands.Rateb Jabour, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, in southern Hebron, stated the military order was actually issued in 1997, but that the residents were never informed of the decision and, therefore, did not have the chance to challenge it in court.
Jabour added that the 2000 Dunams include olive orchards and several homes used by the families in their own lands.
The order also states that the homes must be evicted, and likely demolished.
The lands are owned by the families of Na’amin, Jabarin, al-‘Adra, al-Hamamda, Mohammad and Abu ‘Arram.
Jabour denounced the illegitimate decision, and said it falls under Israel’s ongoing, illegal settlement construction and expansion activities, mainly targeting villages and towns south of Hebron.
“They want to force the families out of their homes and lands,’ he said. “Those lands are owned by the families, but Israel continues to violate International Law, and continues its theft of Palestinian lands….’
