Israeli settlers pitch tent in closed military zone near Ramallah
Residents fear the settler activity near al-Mughayyir could lead to new structures, as local officials say only a small share of village land remains accessible.
Israeli settlers set up a tent on Friday in an eastern plain near the village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
The site lies within an area that the Israeli army has declared a closed military zone, which bars Palestinian residents from entering while allowing settlers to enter and remain there, (Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA))
Separately, settler groups were more active near a pastoral outpost in the Sha'ab al-Louz area, west of al-Mughayyir village, and Palestinian residents fear the movements could pave the way for new structures and the expansion of the outpost, (Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA))
Over the past few days, Israeli forces have continued bulldozing Palestinian-owned land in the al-Rafid area and building a settler road that links Route 60 with settlements near the town of Turmus Ayya, WAFA reported.
Local sources said the bulldozing has affected about 12,000 olive trees on the village's land.
Amin Abu Alia, head of the al-Mughayyir Village Council, said the village's land covers about 43,000 dunums, but only around 900 dunums remain accessible to residents.
Abu Alia said settlers control large areas and have set up outposts around the village from all directions.
Al-Mughayyir is one of many Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank where residents have reported land seizures and restrictions on access in recent years.
Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements built on occupied West Bank land to be illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
