Hebron: Israeli colonists have established a new colonial outpost and expanded several existing ones in Masafer Yatta, located south of Hebron, as reported by local sources. The developments have raised concerns among Palestinian residents and activists in the area.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, activist Osama Makhamreh stated that a group of colonists began setting up a new outpost on citizens' land near their homes east of Khirbet Umm al-Khair. The colonists reportedly placed four caravans on Palestinian lands and have been conducting extensive land leveling and excavation work around the village, which is now surrounded by multiple outposts.
Simultaneously, the colonists have expanded an outpost on Palestinian land in the Al-Batma area near Khallet al-Daba', where construction of several new units is ongoing. In the Sha'b al-Batma area, the colonists have expanded the Mitzpe Yair colony by adding several caravans on citizens' land.
Makhamreh highlighted that settler groups, supported by the occupation authorities, are increasingly seizing citizens' lands to facilitate their colonial expansion. Six large colonies have been established on citizens' lands in Masafer Yatta, along with more than 20 outposts spread across vast areas of citizens' lands. Most of these were established after 2021 and have increased significantly since the aggression on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
