16 dec 2015

For the third year in a row, the farmers in the Gaza Strip will not be able to export flowers to European markets, due to Israeli restrictions.
Since Dutch funding for the Gaza farmers was stopped three years ago, farming spaces shrank in size, ultimately affecting the amount of flowers produced throughout the year. Farmers now plant only 15 dunams of flowers, after planting nearly 150 dunams previously, according to Al Ray.
50-year-old Gaza farmer, Ibrahim Siyam, was cultivating more than 13 dunams, but the area was gradually reduced to nine dunams as a result of the Israeli blockade on the region.
Siyam explained that most of farmers refrained from farming flowers due to the high cost and low benefits, as they cannot exports their products.
The Gaza Strip exported about 50 million flowers, annually, to Europe until 2004. But, farmers in 2012 were able to export no more than five million flowers, because of repeated Israeli closures and constraints at borders crossings.
Since Dutch funding for the Gaza farmers was stopped three years ago, farming spaces shrank in size, ultimately affecting the amount of flowers produced throughout the year. Farmers now plant only 15 dunams of flowers, after planting nearly 150 dunams previously, according to Al Ray.
50-year-old Gaza farmer, Ibrahim Siyam, was cultivating more than 13 dunams, but the area was gradually reduced to nine dunams as a result of the Israeli blockade on the region.
Siyam explained that most of farmers refrained from farming flowers due to the high cost and low benefits, as they cannot exports their products.
The Gaza Strip exported about 50 million flowers, annually, to Europe until 2004. But, farmers in 2012 were able to export no more than five million flowers, because of repeated Israeli closures and constraints at borders crossings.

Al-Haq details how Israel seizes natural resources in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.
The Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem are rich in oil, gas a shale oil resources, al-Haq claims in its 2015 report, Annexing Energy. If these resources were to be developed, Palestine would be economically self-sufficient and relieved from dependence on international aid.
However, as expected, Israel has a history of systematically preventing Palestine’s development of oil and gas in the Occupied Plaestinian Territories (OPT).
Since 1967, the OPT’s natural resources have been governed by Israel’s government, allowing Israel to manage its natural resources to the benefit of Israeli citizens and corporations – not the local population.
Al-Haq explains that Israel prevents Palestine’s development of oil and gas in the OPT by “curtailing Palestinian freedom of movement, appropriating Palestinian resource rich land and sea resources, forcibly stagnating the Palestinian economy and manipulating Palestinian energy dependence for private commercial profit.”
This system goes against international law, which dictates that military commanders have only limited authority regarding natural resources in the OPT. This limited authority is subject to military necessity and the humanitarian concerns of the occupied population.
Al-Haq argues that Israel’s appropriation, exploitation and prevention of development of oil and gas resources “constitute plunder and further breach Palestine’s right to self-determination.”
Moreover, the current system continues to promote the seizure of Palestine’s maritime space and prevent Palestine’s rightful ability to develop its gas distribution network.
Read al-Haq's full report here.
The Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem are rich in oil, gas a shale oil resources, al-Haq claims in its 2015 report, Annexing Energy. If these resources were to be developed, Palestine would be economically self-sufficient and relieved from dependence on international aid.
However, as expected, Israel has a history of systematically preventing Palestine’s development of oil and gas in the Occupied Plaestinian Territories (OPT).
Since 1967, the OPT’s natural resources have been governed by Israel’s government, allowing Israel to manage its natural resources to the benefit of Israeli citizens and corporations – not the local population.
Al-Haq explains that Israel prevents Palestine’s development of oil and gas in the OPT by “curtailing Palestinian freedom of movement, appropriating Palestinian resource rich land and sea resources, forcibly stagnating the Palestinian economy and manipulating Palestinian energy dependence for private commercial profit.”
This system goes against international law, which dictates that military commanders have only limited authority regarding natural resources in the OPT. This limited authority is subject to military necessity and the humanitarian concerns of the occupied population.
Al-Haq argues that Israel’s appropriation, exploitation and prevention of development of oil and gas resources “constitute plunder and further breach Palestine’s right to self-determination.”
Moreover, the current system continues to promote the seizure of Palestine’s maritime space and prevent Palestine’s rightful ability to develop its gas distribution network.
Read al-Haq's full report here.
13 dec 2015

Owners of farms at the borders between the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories in 1948 wish that this winter's wheat harvest would improve their economic conditions after long years of privation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received a permit from the Israeli occupation to re-plant wheat on the borders; therefore, many farmers were able to plant their farms located at or near the borders with wheat.
The Red Cross had rehabilitated 10 thousand acres in the Gaza Strip recently, and paved agricultural roads, as well as the rehabilitation of 3,500 acres near the borders; in the aim of re-farming of border areas.
The ICRC vowed to plow farmers' lands twice in preparation for planting seeds starting from east of Khan Younis to the east of Deir al-Balah.
Many farmers were able a few days ago to reach their farms, after being prevented from entering them by the Israeli occupation for 15 years, as the Israeli occupation still considers those agricultural lands as a buffer zone, and shoots anyone trying to reach them.
Wheat on border
Farmer Yousef Abu Mgsab, 39, who have ten children, was apparently happy in spite of the tiredness he felt as a result of working in his farm which is on a zero distance with the border wire, as he said.
He told the PIC reporter, "I own 50 acres starting directly from the borders, stretching 500 meters to the west. I stopped farming my land because of the Israeli occupation since 2000. It was planted before that date with stone fruits and olive trees, but the Israeli occupation had washed them away in 2002, however, I replanted it today with wheat."
Farmer Abu Mgsab and his neighbors managed to get a permit after the project adopted by the ICRC. As part of the project the ICRC cleaned the lands of explosive material, then plowed it, and provided farmers with seeds of wheat and peas.
He expressed happiness as he entered his farm: "I felt like I had entered paradise! My wish was to be able to reach it and plant it again, but I couldn't because the occupation military watchtowers fire automatically at (anyone approaching) 30 meters from the border."
The farmers' happiness of returning to their farms beat the winter weather, so they worked regardless of the freezing weather conditions.
Farmer Ali Abu Suawel, 29, seems optimistic about the current farming season after he returned to work in his land, which extends 300 dunums along the borders.
He told the PIC reporter: "we began to plow and sow the land after many years of abandonment, and the only threat on our harvest now is the Israeli occupation planes that spray pesticides, as it had wiped out our crops last year."
Ali Abu Suawel family home was bombed in the recent aggression on Gaza, Ali’s brother was killed while his other brother was taken prisoner.
Abandoned lands
Khaled Abu Muheisen, a farmer who owns 90 dunums along the borders, expressed his happiness that his farm will be green again after its olive, grapes and figs trees had been wiped out entirely in 2008 by the Israeli occupation during the "Battle of Al-Furqan", since then it has remained barren land and he wasn't able to reach it due to the risk of getting shot.
He told the PIC reporter: "When we got the permit a few days ago we finally returned to our farm, we plowed it and planted wheat seeds in its soil after 15 years of prohibition."
Khaled's farm was bombed by artillery shells in the recent aggression on Gaza, as well as his home which he was forced to leave, and found it half-devastated when he returned after the war.
He hopes that time would pass by quickly to see the wheat he has planted.
Suhair Zaqout, the Red Cross spokesperson in Gaza, said that the project of land reclamation is a multi-phased project.
She indicated that the ICRC began in August 2014 after the war to clean up the land of suspicious objects, and to rehabilitate 3,500 dunums of abandoned land adjacent to the border.
She stressed that they identified criteria for the beneficiary farmers of the project, among the criteria is that the agricultural land shall be the only source of livelihood, and is more than 5 dunums in size. If the criteria were met, the ICRC would plow the lands, and give its owners the seeds that would cover five dunums.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received a permit from the Israeli occupation to re-plant wheat on the borders; therefore, many farmers were able to plant their farms located at or near the borders with wheat.
The Red Cross had rehabilitated 10 thousand acres in the Gaza Strip recently, and paved agricultural roads, as well as the rehabilitation of 3,500 acres near the borders; in the aim of re-farming of border areas.
The ICRC vowed to plow farmers' lands twice in preparation for planting seeds starting from east of Khan Younis to the east of Deir al-Balah.
Many farmers were able a few days ago to reach their farms, after being prevented from entering them by the Israeli occupation for 15 years, as the Israeli occupation still considers those agricultural lands as a buffer zone, and shoots anyone trying to reach them.
Wheat on border
Farmer Yousef Abu Mgsab, 39, who have ten children, was apparently happy in spite of the tiredness he felt as a result of working in his farm which is on a zero distance with the border wire, as he said.
He told the PIC reporter, "I own 50 acres starting directly from the borders, stretching 500 meters to the west. I stopped farming my land because of the Israeli occupation since 2000. It was planted before that date with stone fruits and olive trees, but the Israeli occupation had washed them away in 2002, however, I replanted it today with wheat."
Farmer Abu Mgsab and his neighbors managed to get a permit after the project adopted by the ICRC. As part of the project the ICRC cleaned the lands of explosive material, then plowed it, and provided farmers with seeds of wheat and peas.
He expressed happiness as he entered his farm: "I felt like I had entered paradise! My wish was to be able to reach it and plant it again, but I couldn't because the occupation military watchtowers fire automatically at (anyone approaching) 30 meters from the border."
The farmers' happiness of returning to their farms beat the winter weather, so they worked regardless of the freezing weather conditions.
Farmer Ali Abu Suawel, 29, seems optimistic about the current farming season after he returned to work in his land, which extends 300 dunums along the borders.
He told the PIC reporter: "we began to plow and sow the land after many years of abandonment, and the only threat on our harvest now is the Israeli occupation planes that spray pesticides, as it had wiped out our crops last year."
Ali Abu Suawel family home was bombed in the recent aggression on Gaza, Ali’s brother was killed while his other brother was taken prisoner.
Abandoned lands
Khaled Abu Muheisen, a farmer who owns 90 dunums along the borders, expressed his happiness that his farm will be green again after its olive, grapes and figs trees had been wiped out entirely in 2008 by the Israeli occupation during the "Battle of Al-Furqan", since then it has remained barren land and he wasn't able to reach it due to the risk of getting shot.
He told the PIC reporter: "When we got the permit a few days ago we finally returned to our farm, we plowed it and planted wheat seeds in its soil after 15 years of prohibition."
Khaled's farm was bombed by artillery shells in the recent aggression on Gaza, as well as his home which he was forced to leave, and found it half-devastated when he returned after the war.
He hopes that time would pass by quickly to see the wheat he has planted.
Suhair Zaqout, the Red Cross spokesperson in Gaza, said that the project of land reclamation is a multi-phased project.
She indicated that the ICRC began in August 2014 after the war to clean up the land of suspicious objects, and to rehabilitate 3,500 dunums of abandoned land adjacent to the border.
She stressed that they identified criteria for the beneficiary farmers of the project, among the criteria is that the agricultural land shall be the only source of livelihood, and is more than 5 dunums in size. If the criteria were met, the ICRC would plow the lands, and give its owners the seeds that would cover five dunums.
8 dec 2015

The Jordanian Electric Power Company is conducting negotiations with the British Gas Company to import natural gas from Gaza offshore field.
The secretary general of the Jordanian Ministry of Energy Ghaleb Maabrah said on Monday that negotiations are ongoing in December to discuss the deal.
The Anadolu agency quoted Maabrah as saying that a letter of intent in this regard was signed by both firms last May within the events of the World Economic Forum in Davos 2015.
The secretary general of the Jordanian Ministry of Energy Ghaleb Maabrah said on Monday that negotiations are ongoing in December to discuss the deal.
The Anadolu agency quoted Maabrah as saying that a letter of intent in this regard was signed by both firms last May within the events of the World Economic Forum in Davos 2015.
6 dec 2015

The frost wave currently hitting Palestine caused severe losses to Palestinian farmers in the northern Jordan Valley. Thousands of dunums of planted plains along with vegetable crops were damaged.
Farmer Ahmad Shaban told the PIC reporter that the damage gets increasing and the losses cannot be afforded by farmers due to the unexpected frost wave.
The agriculture directorate of Tubas and northern Jordan Valley revealed, in a statement on Sunday, that it is studying the frost consequences and the losses resulted.
The directorate pointed out that they had warned Palestinian farmers in advance and urged them to take all possible precautions in order to alleviate losses, but the frost was too heavy and exceeded expectations.
Farmer Ahmad Shaban told the PIC reporter that the damage gets increasing and the losses cannot be afforded by farmers due to the unexpected frost wave.
The agriculture directorate of Tubas and northern Jordan Valley revealed, in a statement on Sunday, that it is studying the frost consequences and the losses resulted.
The directorate pointed out that they had warned Palestinian farmers in advance and urged them to take all possible precautions in order to alleviate losses, but the frost was too heavy and exceeded expectations.
4 dec 2015

The Ramallah-based Palestinian government backtracked on its decision to extend a freeze on the blue tax imposed on fuel shipments for the Gaza power plant and said the tax would be reduced only by 50 percent.
The energy authority in Gaza stated on Thursday that the finance ministry in Ramallah told it that it would not fully cancel the blue tax on fuel supplies for the power plant in Gaza as the cabinet had pledged a few days ago and would have to reduce it by half.
The energy authority added that under the new development, the power plant would not receive next Sunday's fuel shipment.
A national committee of Palestinian factions had agreed with the government to extend the fuel tax exemption for the power plant for one week as a prelude to prolonging the period.
The energy authority in Gaza stated on Thursday that the finance ministry in Ramallah told it that it would not fully cancel the blue tax on fuel supplies for the power plant in Gaza as the cabinet had pledged a few days ago and would have to reduce it by half.
The energy authority added that under the new development, the power plant would not receive next Sunday's fuel shipment.
A national committee of Palestinian factions had agreed with the government to extend the fuel tax exemption for the power plant for one week as a prelude to prolonging the period.
1 dec 2015
on him for not posting smoking ban notifications, while 475 shekels fine was imposed on those who put a part of their goods on the village sidewalks.
Shop owners in occupied Jerusalem believes that the heavy fines are part of an Israeli systematic policy that aims to force the closure of all Palestinian shops in the city.
Shop owners in occupied Jerusalem believes that the heavy fines are part of an Israeli systematic policy that aims to force the closure of all Palestinian shops in the city.
27 nov 2015

The Palestinian authority of energy and natural resources has warned that the failure to extend the "blue tax" exemption on fuel shipments for the power plant soon would have repercussions on electricity generation in the Gaza Strip during the next week.
In a press release on Thursday, the energy authority said that the Palestinian unity government in Ramallah would have to renew the fuel tax exemption, which will expire at the end of the current month, or else the work of the Gaza power plant would be affected, especially with the onset of winter.
It pointed out to the absence of any action by the Palestinian cabinet to extend the exemption on the blue tax imposed on the fuel needs of the Gaza power plant, appealing to all concerned parties to intervene to find a solution to the issue.
In a press release on Thursday, the energy authority said that the Palestinian unity government in Ramallah would have to renew the fuel tax exemption, which will expire at the end of the current month, or else the work of the Gaza power plant would be affected, especially with the onset of winter.
It pointed out to the absence of any action by the Palestinian cabinet to extend the exemption on the blue tax imposed on the fuel needs of the Gaza power plant, appealing to all concerned parties to intervene to find a solution to the issue.
26 nov 2015

Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, the northern West Bank city of Nablus, broke into the Tamimi Bus Company, and confiscated eight buses, working on the Nablus-Ramallah road, and took them to the Huwwara military base, south of Nablus.
The soldiers stormed the company garages, in Kroum Ashour area, and told the security guards that they were confiscating the buses “because they transport protesters to areas of clashes with the army,” according to the army.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles.
The army fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Rojeeb town, and stormed the home of Jamal Dweikat, before violently searching and ransacking it, and interrogated the family.
The soldiers stormed the company garages, in Kroum Ashour area, and told the security guards that they were confiscating the buses “because they transport protesters to areas of clashes with the army,” according to the army.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles.
The army fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Rojeeb town, and stormed the home of Jamal Dweikat, before violently searching and ransacking it, and interrogated the family.
23 nov 2015

The Palestinian authority of energy and natural resources in Gaza has called on the unity government in Ramallah to permanently exempt the besieged Strip's power plant from the "blue tax" on industrial fuel.
In a press release on Sunday, the energy authority described the Palestinian cabinet's decision to give the Gaza power plant a one-month tax exemption on fuel shipments "insufficient to address the longstanding electricity problem in Gaza."
The authority expressed hope that the tax exemption on Gaza fuel could be permanent in order for the power plant to work without stop, especially during the current winter months and until a durable solution to the problem was found.
It affirmed that it started to work in cooperation with all concerned parties in Gaza on having the fuel tax exemption extended.
In a press release on Sunday, the energy authority described the Palestinian cabinet's decision to give the Gaza power plant a one-month tax exemption on fuel shipments "insufficient to address the longstanding electricity problem in Gaza."
The authority expressed hope that the tax exemption on Gaza fuel could be permanent in order for the power plant to work without stop, especially during the current winter months and until a durable solution to the problem was found.
It affirmed that it started to work in cooperation with all concerned parties in Gaza on having the fuel tax exemption extended.
20 nov 2015

The Israeli Authorities agreed, on Thursday, to release the 3G frequencies and equipment that Tel Aviv has been holding for many years, thus allowing the Palestinian telecommunication companies to provide residents with 3G services.
Israel had been denying the Palestinians access to 3G technologies for what it called “security issues”, saying the government needed to conduct a series of measures to “ensure the security of Israelis” and to resolve other technical issues through the Communications Ministry.
Despite the agreement to open the technology, Israeli authorities say they will retain full control over the allocation of the needed Radio frequencies that would be operational in the occupied West Bank.
Mobile telecommunications in Palestine are exclusively provided by the Palestinian Telecommunications Group (Paltel,) and al-Wataniyya Telecommunications WATA.PL, but both companies have, until now, only been allowed to provide the Palestinians with 2G service, which only allows customers to make calls, and provides very limited access to data.
The companies are hoping to begin providing 3G soon, to enable the customers to access the Internet from their mobile phones in addition to text and phone calls.
Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister, said in a statement that the agreement allows telecommunications companies to start the actual implementation on the ground.
While many parts of the world already have 4G, and are moving for full implementation of 5G, Israel has been denying the Palestinians access to 3G services under various claims, including “not having enough frequencies for 3G,” in addition to telling the Palestinians that access to 3G should go through Israeli providers.
It is worth mentioning that Israel’s Communications Ministry started allocating 4G frequencies to Israeli providers earlier this year.
Under the Oslo Agreement of 1993, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Israel maintains full controls over all frequencies, and grants the Palestinians limited access, an issue that prevented Palestinians from gaining access to advanced telecommunication technologies in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Ma’moun Matar, a Palestinian telecommunications expert, said the release of 3G service in the Occupied Territories is a positive move, but still falls behind the current developments in this field around the world.
“The two companies (Paltel and Wataniyya) will encounter losses if 4G is allowed soon,” he said, “They would have to reinvest tens of millions of dollars in new equipment; there are many vast differences between 3G and 4G, as the first allows speeds reaching up to 15MB, while 4G speeds vary between 25 and 80 Megabits.”
He also stated that he believes Israel decided to allow the Palestinians access to 3G services as part of the recent understanding reached between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Secretary of State John Kerry, as part of a series of moves “meant to reduce the current tension and escalated clashes in the occupied territories.”
Israel had been denying the Palestinians access to 3G technologies for what it called “security issues”, saying the government needed to conduct a series of measures to “ensure the security of Israelis” and to resolve other technical issues through the Communications Ministry.
Despite the agreement to open the technology, Israeli authorities say they will retain full control over the allocation of the needed Radio frequencies that would be operational in the occupied West Bank.
Mobile telecommunications in Palestine are exclusively provided by the Palestinian Telecommunications Group (Paltel,) and al-Wataniyya Telecommunications WATA.PL, but both companies have, until now, only been allowed to provide the Palestinians with 2G service, which only allows customers to make calls, and provides very limited access to data.
The companies are hoping to begin providing 3G soon, to enable the customers to access the Internet from their mobile phones in addition to text and phone calls.
Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister, said in a statement that the agreement allows telecommunications companies to start the actual implementation on the ground.
While many parts of the world already have 4G, and are moving for full implementation of 5G, Israel has been denying the Palestinians access to 3G services under various claims, including “not having enough frequencies for 3G,” in addition to telling the Palestinians that access to 3G should go through Israeli providers.
It is worth mentioning that Israel’s Communications Ministry started allocating 4G frequencies to Israeli providers earlier this year.
Under the Oslo Agreement of 1993, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Israel maintains full controls over all frequencies, and grants the Palestinians limited access, an issue that prevented Palestinians from gaining access to advanced telecommunication technologies in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Ma’moun Matar, a Palestinian telecommunications expert, said the release of 3G service in the Occupied Territories is a positive move, but still falls behind the current developments in this field around the world.
“The two companies (Paltel and Wataniyya) will encounter losses if 4G is allowed soon,” he said, “They would have to reinvest tens of millions of dollars in new equipment; there are many vast differences between 3G and 4G, as the first allows speeds reaching up to 15MB, while 4G speeds vary between 25 and 80 Megabits.”
He also stated that he believes Israel decided to allow the Palestinians access to 3G services as part of the recent understanding reached between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Secretary of State John Kerry, as part of a series of moves “meant to reduce the current tension and escalated clashes in the occupied territories.”

The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) have frozen access permits for 1,200 Palestinian workers from al-Khalil city on account of an underway probe into a recent Tel Aviv stabbing attack.
The Israeli Channel 2 quoted the government coordinator in 1948 Occupied Palestine as stating that 1,200 workers are to be banned from entering the Green Line until investigation procedures are over.
The decision comes hours after the Israeli cabinet overnight Thursday ruled for imposing a security cordon around al-Khalil and the adjacent villages in an attempt to tighten military grip around Palestinian workers and activists in the area.
According to Israeli media outlets, 52,000 Palestinians, most of whom holders of access permits, head to their workplaces in 1948 Occupied Palestine on a daily basis.
Israeli security apparatuses, however, claimed that 40,000 Palestinians per every single day enter 1948 Occupied Palestine without licenses.
The Israeli Channel 2 quoted the government coordinator in 1948 Occupied Palestine as stating that 1,200 workers are to be banned from entering the Green Line until investigation procedures are over.
The decision comes hours after the Israeli cabinet overnight Thursday ruled for imposing a security cordon around al-Khalil and the adjacent villages in an attempt to tighten military grip around Palestinian workers and activists in the area.
According to Israeli media outlets, 52,000 Palestinians, most of whom holders of access permits, head to their workplaces in 1948 Occupied Palestine on a daily basis.
Israeli security apparatuses, however, claimed that 40,000 Palestinians per every single day enter 1948 Occupied Palestine without licenses.
14 nov 2015

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) pumped sewage water into Palestinian farmland cultivated with olive trees in Takoe village, east of Bethlehem.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers on Friday drenched the olive trees at the western entrance of the village with sewage water.
They said that the act would damage the olive trees and affect harvesting olives.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers on Friday drenched the olive trees at the western entrance of the village with sewage water.
They said that the act would damage the olive trees and affect harvesting olives.
11 nov 2015

Israeli bulldozers on Tuesday destroyed a water tank and artesian wells, along with a set of agricultural equipment, in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Head of the local village council Talel Hussein said in a statement Israeli bulldozers knocked down three artesian water wells owned by the Palestinian farmers Imad Ismail Jaradat, Suleiman Zyoud, and No’man Jaradat.
He said the demolition was carried out in the early morning hours and without prior notifications.
He added that the demolition, carried out under the supervision of the Israeli planning and building authority, targeted the villagers’ only water tank.
The Israeli occupation soldiers further uprooted dozens of olive trees in the area, destroying the farmers’ own and only source of income.
Hussein further spoke out against the serious repercussions of such procedures on the adjacent Palestinian villages.
He said the move has not been the only one of its kind against Palestinian farmers and civilian structures in the area.
He urged the concerned authorities to immediately step in and work on defending Palestinians against such oppressive and illegitimate measures carried out by the Israeli occupation and its branches across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Head of the local village council Talel Hussein said in a statement Israeli bulldozers knocked down three artesian water wells owned by the Palestinian farmers Imad Ismail Jaradat, Suleiman Zyoud, and No’man Jaradat.
He said the demolition was carried out in the early morning hours and without prior notifications.
He added that the demolition, carried out under the supervision of the Israeli planning and building authority, targeted the villagers’ only water tank.
The Israeli occupation soldiers further uprooted dozens of olive trees in the area, destroying the farmers’ own and only source of income.
Hussein further spoke out against the serious repercussions of such procedures on the adjacent Palestinian villages.
He said the move has not been the only one of its kind against Palestinian farmers and civilian structures in the area.
He urged the concerned authorities to immediately step in and work on defending Palestinians against such oppressive and illegitimate measures carried out by the Israeli occupation and its branches across the occupied Palestinian territories.