Hebron / PNN /

A diplomatic delegation today witnessed the displacement of Palestinians and the colonial settlement expansion during a visit to Masafer Yatta, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

The delegation, comprising diplomats and representatives of 16 countries, including EU representative Kuhn von Borgsdorf, made their way to the Masafer Yatta, where they heard about the suffering and dire humanitarian situation of some 1,300 Palestinians living in twelve villages or hamlets as a result of the imminent threat of forced expulsion and an escalation of settler violence and Israeli forces raids.

They made a stop at the Isfey Al-Fouqa primary school demolished by Israeli forces almost a month ago.

Hebron Governor Jibrin Bakri, who coordinated the visit, briefed the delegation on the situation in Hebron Governorate, in general, and the implications of settler violence and Israeli forces violations against Palestinians in Masafer Yatta as well as in the Old City of Hebron, in particular.

He stressed the need for the international community to exercise serious pressure on Israel, the occupying power, to stop assaults against Palestinians and demolitions of their property, including mosques and schools.

Meanwhile, EU diplomat Borgsdorf said that this was the fifth time for him to visit Masafer Yatta, where he saw the policy of displacement implemented by Israel against the Palestinian residents in addition to the expansion of colonial settlements.

He added that they would address letters to their respective governments to update them on Israeli violations against Palestinians living in the area, including students, including demolitions of dwellings and schools, while pledging that they would urge their governments to make every effort to put pressure on the Government of Israel to stop its gross violations of Palestinians’ rights.

The delegation also toured the Old City of Hebron and the Ibrahimi Mosque, where they witnessed the impact of intense movement restrictions and Israel’s heavy military presence on the city’s Palestinian population. Hebron’s former commercial heart, Shuhada Street, is now a ghost town, with Palestinians prohibited from access and hundreds of shops now closed down.

Following their tour, they stressed the need for Israel to comply with international law, which provides for the Palestinian people’s right to a decent life.

Recently, Israel’s top court gave the army the green light to forcibly expel some 1,300 Palestinians living in twelve villages or hamlets making up the Masafer Yatta area, which relies heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood, marking one of the largest expulsions carried out by the State of Israel in recent decades.

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 for training since 1980s and 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.