Settlement plan to seize historical lands between Sebastia and Al-Masoudiya in Nablus

The area located between the towns of Sebastia and Al-Masoudiya, northwest of Nablus city, is facing a new settlement threat, as the occupation authorities seek to confiscate vast areas of private agricultural land. Farmer Jawad Ghazal stands as a witness to this encroachment, expressing his shock at the decision to transform his land, inherited from his family, into a settlement park serving settlers and preventing its legitimate owners from accessing it.

Sources reported that the occupation uses the pretext of tourism projects and public parks as a cover to impose its full control over archaeological and agricultural sites in the Nablus countryside. The towns of Sebastia and Al-Masoudiya are among the most targeted areas due to their historical significance, and residents fear that these projects will isolate Palestinian villages and stifle the urban and agricultural expansion of the indigenous population.

Speaking about the daily suffering, Ghazal affirmed that farmers in that area live in a constant state of anxiety due to repeated attacks by the occupation army and settlers. He pointed out that he personally was subjected to abuse and severe beating about a year ago while on his land, considering that these practices primarily aim to intimidate Palestinians and push them to voluntarily leave their properties to facilitate settlement expansion operations.

Observers warned that the establishment of the settlement park would paralyze the movement of farmers and deprive dozens of families of their sole source of livelihood, which depends on the bounty of this land. This step is considered part of a systematic policy to change the demographic and geographical character in the northern West Bank, threatening to cut off geographical communication between the Palestinian towns surrounding Nablus city.

Despite the continuous threats, the residents of the area cling to their historical right to their lands, affirming their continued steadfastness in the face of Judaization schemes. Farmers appealed to the international community for the necessity of intervention to stop the theft of lands that is taking place under misleading tourism pretexts, stressing that this land represents their identity and memory that cannot be relinquished, no matter the sacrifices.

This land is part of our lives and our identity, and we will not give up our right that we inherited from our fathers and grandfathers, no matter the pressures.