AL-FUNDUQ: For three weeks, the Israeli occupation forces have continued their attacks on the village of Al-Funduq, east of Qalqilya, by carrying out demolitions and distributing notices to stop construction and demolition, in addition to setting up military checkpoints and obstructing the movement of citizens.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Munif Nazzal, the official in charge of the wall and settlement file in the Qalqilya governorate, stated that the occupation has recently escalated its attacks on Al-Funduq in an unprecedented manner. Since mid-January of this year, the Israeli forces have demolished seven commercial, residential, and agricultural structures. Additionally, nine Palestinians have been handed decisions to stop construction on their homes, and 13 commercial complexes received notices to remove "encroachments" on the public road.
Earlier yesterday, the occupation forces targeted the secondary entrances to the village, including the road leading to the villages of Hajjah and Baqa al-Hatab, by installing traffic signals that reversed traffic directions, making these entrances one-way, allowing entry but prohibiting exit. Moreover, the entrances have been closed using earth mounds since the escalation of attacks, with permanent military checkpoints set up at the main eastern and western entrances of the village, further hindering citizen movement.
In turn, Hussam al-Shaer, Director of the Ministry of National Economy in Qalqilya governorate, highlighted that half of the village's citizens rely on trade for their livelihood. The shops along the main street, whose owners recently received removal notices, play a crucial role in the local economy. The measures have weakened commercial activity in the village, which used to serve approximately 10,000 citizens from surrounding population centers. The notices threaten approximately 60 shops, affecting the livelihoods of about 150 individuals, without providing a final date for objection or implementation of the decisions.
Louay Taym, head of the village council, reported that the village has a population of 1,400 people residing on an area of 1,400 dunams, with 1,320 dunams falling within the so-called C areas, mostly along the colonial road connecting Qalqilya and Nablus. He emphasized the occupation's efforts to protect its colonists at the expense of citizens' lands and facilities, imposing new punitive measures daily. Signs prohibiting vehicle and citizen parking along the main street and threats of heavy fines by the occupation police have been posted, aiming to seize the village and force citizens to leave their lands due to its vital location.
