Hebron: Israeli colonists Tuesday destroyed 150 olive saplings in Masafer Yatta, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to a local activist. Osama Makhamra reported that several colonists entered the Susiya village and vandalized approximately 150 recently planted olive saplings belonging to four farmers, all members of the Hreini family.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Masafer Yatta is composed of nearly 19 hamlets that depend on animal husbandry as their primary source of livelihood. The area is situated in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli administrative and military control. This region has faced repeated violations by colonists and soldiers, who often target the residents' main source of living-livestock.
Masafer Yatta has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training purposes since the 1980s, known as Firing Zone 918. The residents face various violations, including the demolition of animal barns, homes, and residential structures. Additionally, local Palestinians in the area are unable to obtain construction permits from Israeli authorities.