Israeli Army Uproots Over 3,100 Olive Trees in Al Mughayyir
The Israeli army has uprooted more than 3,100 olive trees in the Palestinian village of Al Mughayyir, near Ramallah, as bulldozers continue operations in the area. Reports indicate that since dawn on August 23, Israeli troops have raided over 30 homes, causing vehicle damage and threatening residents, reports 24brussels.
This aggressive action follows the death of an 18-year-old Palestinian on August 16, allegedly from a gunshot fired by Israeli soldiers. The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health confirmed the incident, while Israel accused the youth of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails without providing evidence. Eyewitnesses reported that the village faced an attack that same day by Israeli settlers, who burned vehicles and assaulted several homes under military protection.
Local sources allege that the destruction of olive trees is part of a plan to clear land for a road intended exclusively for settlers, according to Marzouq Abu Naim, deputy head of the village council. The removal of these trees forms part of broader actions against the Palestinian communities in the West Bank, which have escalated since the occupation began in 1967.
Israeli settler communities have expanded into Palestinian territories, leading to increased tensions and violence that disrupt the daily lives of Palestinians. Settlers, often supported by Israeli state mechanisms, engage in acts that violate Palestinian rights, including physical attacks, property damage, and the destruction of agricultural land aimed at displacing local communities.
These incidents include violent assaults, vandalism of homes and mosques, as well as the construction of illegal settlements. The continuous expansion of these settlements is frequently backed by the Israeli military, while Palestinians lack similar protections and face severe restrictions on movement and access to essential resources like water and electricity.
The systematic expropriation of land and demolition of Palestinian homes, often justified by Israeli bureaucracy, exacerbates the plight of these communities, fostering a growing sense of impunity among settlers.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, amidst calls for accountability and a re-evaluation of policies affecting the rights and lives of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories.
