Israeli Settlers Cause Chaos in West Bank Villages

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Israel Uproots 3,000 Olive Trees in West Bank, Sparks Concern Over Settlement Expansion

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that Israel’s actions are aimed at “building the Land of Israel” and erasing the concept of a Palestinian state. This statement follows the uprooting of approximately 3,000 olive trees planted by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The destruction of the trees is part of a series of Israeli actions this week aimed at expanding settlements in the region. On Sunday, the Israeli Knesset Ministerial Committee voted to repeal the 1993 Oslo Accords, which established the Palestinian Authority and divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested that parliament postpone discussions of the bill, while Justice Minister Yariv Levin expressed support for the legislation in the future. The European Union has condemned Israel’s expansion of the “orange line” restricted zone in Gaza, which now covers over 60% of the territory.

In Gaza, Israeli strikes continued throughout the week, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 Palestinians. A document obtained by the Times of Israel revealed that the Board of Peace does not intend to hold Israel accountable for ceasefire commitments if Hamas refuses to accept disarmament framework.

The European Union has also imposed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and Hamas officials, but these were rejected by the Israeli government. Settler violence and access restrictions have displaced over 2,000 Palestinians, including nearly 900 children, in the West Bank this year.

According to the United Nations, at least 44 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank so far this year, with more than 760 settler attacks documented. The cumulative death toll since October 2023 is now over 72,740 in Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera