Israeli colonists attack shepherd in southern West Bank village

HEBRON: Israeli colonists Friday attacked a Palestinian shepherd in the Masafer Yatta's hamlet of At-Tuwani, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to WAFA correspondent. He said that the colonists brutally assaulted a shepherd while the latter was grazing his sheep in the hamlet and attempted to steal his sheep. Colonists' violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities. Colonists' violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among others. Over 700,000 Israeli colonists are living in colonies across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law. Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets that rely heavily on animal husbandry as their main source of livelihood. Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repea ted Israeli violations by colonists and soldiers targeting their main source of living - livestock. It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since the 1980s and is accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918. Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA