Israeli settlers storm West Bank archaeological site as barn is destroyed

Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the archaeological site in the town of Sebastia in the northern occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian Information Centre has reported. Meanwhile, another settler is reported to have demolished an agricultural structure in Al-Khalil — Hebron — in the south of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Local sources reported that the settlers broke into the archaeological site under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, which were deployed heavily in the area. The sources added that the town is subjected to daily raids by the occupation forces to impose a fait accompli and take control of the area for settlement expansion purposes.

The settler who demolished a shed used for raising cows, also stole an electric generator, agricultural equipment and digging tools in the Al-Muntar area of Masafer Bani Naim, east of Al-Khalil city.

According to local resident Farid Burqan, the settler from the Bnei Hefer settlement built on Palestinian-owned land, demolished the barn with a bulldozer. The 700 square metre barn was owned and used by Netham Burqan for his calves. The settler then destroyed a road near the barn.

Burqan pointed out that the Bnei Hefer settlers have recently escalated their attacks on Palestinian property in Masafer Bani Naim and the neighbouring hamlets, in an attempt to force citizens to relocate to allow settlement expansion.

All of Israel’s settlements and the Jewish settlers who live in them are illegal under international law.

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