Israeli colonists set up new outposts east of Hebron

HEBRON: Israeli colonists established a new settlement outpost this morning on Palestinian land east of Hebron in the southern West Bank, according to local sources. Farid Barqan, head of the Bayrin village council, reported that a group of armed colonists from the nearby settlements of Susiya, Bnei Hefer, and Kiryat Arba erected a caravan and a large tent covering over 300 square meters in the Khalat al-Furn area of Bayrin village. They also raised flags of Israel on the site. Barqan expressed concern that this development could be a precursor to further land seizure, potentially transforming the area into agricultural land for colonists. He highlighted that this act is part of ongoing attempts by both the Israeli forces and colonists to control and annex large areas of village land to facilitate colonial expansion. According to the PLO's Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, since October 7, 2023, colonists have established approximately 29 new outposts, primarily in Hebron (8), Ramallah (6), Bethle hem (4), and Nablus (3). In addition, seven new roads have been constructed to facilitate colonist movement and connect the outposts with existing settlements. During the same period, Israeli authorities have legalized 11 outposts, converting them into settlements or outlying neighborhoods of existing settlements, and have initiated the legalization process for another nine outposts. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA