Bethlehem:Israeli occupation forces expelled Palestinian landowners and international activists from an olive grove on Friday. The land, belonging to the al-Qassas family, is located near the Israeli colony of Elazar, south of Bethlehem.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the al-Qassas family, along with international solidarity activists, was prevented from harvesting olives by Israeli forces. The forces reportedly raided the property, detained the family, checked their identification documents, and forced them to leave at gunpoint, threatening detention if they returned.
Hiyam al-Qassas, the landowner, expressed that her family had been unable to access their land since October 7, 2023. She stated that the solidarity activists had accompanied them to help and protect them from potential colonist attacks.