Settlers burn hundreds of dunams of wheat crops west of Hebron under army protection

Groups of Israeli settlers, on Tuesday, set fire to vast areas of Palestinian agricultural land located west of Hebron city in the southern West Bank. The attack focused on fields planted with wheat crops and olive trees, leading to the destruction of hundreds of dunams amidst an atmosphere of severe tension and field confrontations that erupted in the area.

Local sources reported that the settlers deliberately used tools such as 'blowers' to ensure the flames spread more quickly through the dry crops, making it extremely difficult to control the fire. This assault coincided with a heavy presence of Israeli army forces that provided full protection to the settlers while they carried out the burning operation, preventing farmers from approaching to save their lands.

The area witnessed pushing and sharp verbal altercations between residents and occupation forces, with the latter firing tear gas canisters at citizens who tried to confront the settlers. These confrontations resulted in the arrest of three Palestinian landowners, a move residents considered part of a systematic policy of tightening restrictions to push them to leave their lands.

Affected farmers explained that these attacks are not isolated, but rather come within a series of continuous pressures that have included land and sheep confiscation and daily abuse since October 7, 2023. They pointed out that the Israeli army imposes a security cordon preventing the access of firefighting teams or volunteers, leaving crops vulnerable to complete damage under the eyes of the soldiers.

The residents of the area issued urgent appeals to the international community and human rights organizations for serious intervention to stop these violations and provide protection for Palestinian farmers. The residents affirmed their steadfastness in remaining on their lands despite the policies of burning and bulldozing aimed at expanding the settlement outposts surrounding Hebron city at the expense of their private properties.

This incident comes in the context of a significant escalation in settler attacks in various governorates of the West Bank, where Palestinian food security is targeted through crop burning and the felling of ancient trees. Field reports confirm that these attacks often occur in coordination with army forces, reflecting an official trend to escalate pressure on Palestinian population centers in 'Area C' classified areas.

According to official data, the ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank has led to the martyrdom and injury of thousands, in addition to widespread arrest campaigns affecting nearly 23,000 citizens. These measures coincide with forced displacement operations affecting thousands of families, amidst the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and the expansion of targeting across all occupied Palestinian territories.

Settlers used a blower to increase the spread of fire in wheat fields, while occupation forces prevented us from reaching to extinguish it.