Israeli occupation forces uprooted, on Wednesday, ancient olive trees from Palestinian‑owned lands in the village of Asla, in an area located behind the illegal Annexation Wall west of Azzun, east of Qalqilia in the occupied West Bank’s northwestern part.
Suleiman Othman, head of the Asla Village Council, stated that the targeted trees stand on hundreds of dunams of village lands and are estimated to be centuries old.
He added that Palestinian farmers have been unable to access these lands since October 2023 due to their location behind the Wall and the restrictions imposed by the occupation authorities.
The uprooted trees are situated near the illegal colony of “Alfei Menashe,” which is built on lands belonging to the towns of Azzun and Asla.
The lands are privately owned by several families, including the Othman, Abu Radi, and Masoud families.
Othman stated that the targeting of the trees is part of the ongoing violations against agricultural lands in the area, aimed at further isolating the lands and facilitating colonial expansion.
