Umm safa: Israeli colonists installed surveillance cameras on Thursday in the village of Umm Safa, west of Ramallah.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, the head of the Umm Safa village council, Marwan Sabah, reported that dozens of colonists began placing surveillance cameras on Jabal al-Ras, a significant and vital agricultural area in the village. The mountain is known for its extensive olive tree plantations, and the installation of cameras poses a direct threat to the safety of the residents and their right to access their land.
Sabah highlighted plans to expand the Halamish settlement west of the village by seizing thousands of dunams of land belonging to residents of Umm Safa and Jibya. This expansion aims to connect Halamish to the Ateret settlement east of the village, potentially imposing a new reality that would hinder the village's connection with neighboring areas.
The village, with a population of 720, has been completely closed off since October 2023, forcing residents to navigate circuitous routes through neighboring villages for entry and exit. Umm Safa frequently experiences attacks by settlers and Israeli forces, including land bulldozing, uprooting of trees, and restrictions on movement and farmland access.
This incident occurs amidst escalating colonist violence against West Bank villages and towns. Such violence includes arson attacks on homes, vehicles, and other Palestinian properties, assaults on residents, and the establishment of new settlement outposts, all under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
The village of Umm Safa is a frequent target for colonists from settlements and outposts built on Palestinian land in the area, resulting in widespread property damage and restricted access to agricultural lands for residents.