Protest in West Bank over illegal settler outpost as Israeli forces intervene and detain protesters
Foreign activists and residents of Deir Abu Mashal village, northwest of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, protested against a newly established outpost set up by illegal Israeli settlers on Al-Qarana Hill, south of the village, Anadolu reports.
Protesters marched toward the hill in an attempt to reach land where the outpost was established about two weeks ago.
Israeli forces intervened during the march, detaining two Palestinians and five foreign activists, according to organizers.
Residents said the area covers around 2,000 dunams of agricultural land and is a key source of olive production for the village.
They added that in recent days Israeli forces and occupiers have prevented farmers and landowners from accessing the area, restricting entry to their land.
READ: Olmert: Israel is running a state-funded campaign of settler terrorism in West Bank
Participants called for an end to Israeli settlement expansion, access for farmers to their land, and the release of those detained.
About 500,000 illegal Israeli occupiers live in illegal settlements across the West Bank, while another 250,000 live in settlements built on Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Peace Now – an Israeli organization that promotes a two-state solution to the conflict.
Israeli forces and occupiers have killed at least 1,169 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, injured more than 12,600, and detained around 23,000 since October 2023, when the genocidal war against the Gaza Strip began, Palestinian figures showed.
On June 10, Amnesty International accused Israel of leading and supporting a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians in the West Bank, saying the arming of thousands of occupiers had contributed to the escalation.
In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and urged the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
READ: 8 countries condemn occupier violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank
