Occupation forces assault shepherds in southern Hebron

HEBRON: Israeli occupation forces today assaulted Palestinian shepherds in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, according to local sources.

They said that the occupation soldiers savagely beat Palestinian shepherds grazing their cattle at ath-Tha’la locality of Masafer Yatta and assaulted several residents and farmers in al-Halawa hamlet.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces showed up at the family house of Manal Da’na, a human rights activist, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, ransacked it and threatened Da’na to detain her should she continue to document the occupation violations against Palestinians.

Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living – livestock.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone f
or training since 1980s and is accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA