Suffocation injuries in the West Bank as occupation forces uproot hundreds of ancient trees near Jerusalem

A number of Palestinian citizens suffered severe suffocation injuries on Monday evening, as a result of a series of incursions carried out by Israeli occupation forces in various areas of the occupied West Bank. Clashes focused in the town of Al-Dhahiriya, south of Hebron city, where military forces fired a barrage of toxic gas bombs and live ammunition at worshippers as they left mosques after performing Tarawih prayers.

In occupied Jerusalem, occupation machinery uprooted hundreds of trees in the lands of Sur Baher town, specifically in the Wadi al-Hummus area adjacent to the separation wall. Local sources confirmed that the bulldozing operations targeted vast areas of agricultural land located a short distance from the wall's security path, leading to the destruction of vegetation cover that dates back decades.

Field reports indicated that the area of land affected by the bulldozing is estimated at about 50 dunams, which included ancient trees, some of which were over 60 years old. The ownership of these lands belongs to citizens from Bethlehem city and Sur Baher town, who found themselves facing heavy losses as a result of the destruction of their agricultural properties, which constitute a source of livelihood and a history linked to the land.

Concurrently, the occupation army expanded its incursions to include the villages of Beitillu, Saffa, and Beit Ur al-Tahta in Ramallah governorate, in addition to the town of Tammun, south of Tubas city. Despite the heavy military presence in these areas, no arrests or house raids were reported, as military activity focused on intimidating residents and obstructing their nighttime movement.

These attacks come amid a continuous escalation of settler and army attacks on Palestinian villages and towns since the start of the aggression on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Official data indicate that the West Bank is experiencing a state of permanent tension due to systematic policies that target both land and people in all governorates.

According to data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, occupation authorities carried out more than 1,454 attacks in the West Bank during last February alone. These attacks varied between demolishing structures, confiscating lands, uprooting trees, and providing protection for settlers while carrying out their attacks on isolated Palestinian communities.

Regarding human losses, Palestinian statistics indicate the martyrdom of 1,125 Palestinians and the injury of about 11,700 others in the West Bank since October 7. The number of arrests has also risen to about 22,000 cases, reflecting the scale of the comprehensive military campaign launched by Israel in the occupied territories.

Occupation forces stormed Al-Dhahiriya town amid firing live ammunition, sound bombs, and toxic gas at citizens as they exited mosques.