AL-KHALIL, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have leveled large areas of agricultural land east of al-Khalil and uprooted thousands of fruit-bearing trees during bulldozing ongoing for three days, under the pretext of expanding Route 60.
The PIC correspondent reported that Israeli machinery targeted farmland planted with grapevines and vegetables in the al-Baqa’a area, one of the region’s most important agricultural zones.
The director general of al-Khalil’s agriculture department Sahar al-Sha’rawi said the area of land destroyed exceeds 200 dunums, noting that thousands of fruit trees have been uprooted and that the diggings are still ongoing.
She explained that the targeted area is one of the main grape-producing regions, with vineyards covering more than 1,300 dunums and producing about 13,000 tons of grapes annually, in addition to around 1,000 tons of grape leaves, making it a primary source of income for hundreds of families.
Farmer Osama Jaber said Israeli forces began clearing land along both sides of Route 60, up to 20 meters deep on each side, stretching from the Beit Einun junction southward, destroying extensive areas of vineyards and vegetable crops.
He added that these actions directly threaten the main source of income for hundreds of families, especially with the grape harvest season approaching.
Jaber noted that the land clearing began without prior notice and without allowing farmers to object. On Wednesday morning, the IOF informed landowners of a military order to seize land adjacent to the road under the pretext of expanding it.
This comes as part of ongoing policies targeting agricultural land in the West Bank through confiscation and land clearing, threatening the agricultural sector and undermining Palestinian livelihoods.
