Hebron: Israeli occupation forces have, over the past three days, leveled more than 200 dunums of land and uprooted tens of thousands of fruitful grapevines east of Hebron. WAFA correspondent reported that the forces bulldozed vast areas of Palestinian-owned land planted with grapevines, other fruit trees, and vegetables in the Al-Baqa'a area, east of Hebron, under the pretext of expanding the so-called Route 60 bypass road.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Director General of Agriculture in Hebron stated that the targeted area exceeds 200 dunums, where thousands of fruitful trees have been uprooted, with leveling operations still ongoing. The area is a key source of grape production, with vineyards covering more than 1,300 dunums and producing nearly 13,000 tons of grapes annually, in addition to around 1,000 tons of grape leaves. The sector constitutes a primary source of income for a large number of families.
Local landowner, Osama Jaber, mentioned that Israeli forces are leveling Palestinian-owned land along both sides of Route 60, extending 20 meters deep on each side, along the stretch from the Beit Einun junction southward. This has led to the uprooting of thousands of fruitful trees, particularly grapevines, and the destruction of large areas of vegetables, threatening the main-and often sole-source of income for hundreds of families who rely on agricultural yields in the area, especially as the grape harvest season approaches.
He noted that the forces began the leveling operations three days ago without prior notice and did not give farmers any opportunity to object. Another farmer, identified as Abu Mustafa Jaber, stated that after three days of continuous leveling and destruction, Israeli forces informed them on Wednesday morning of a military order to seize Palestinian-owned land adjacent to Route 60 under the pretext of expansion.
