Israel orders confiscation of 8.1 acres of land in Nablus village in occupied West Bank

Israeli authorities issued an order Friday to clear 33 dunams (8.1 acres) of land in a village in southern Nablus in the occupied West Bank, including the uprooting of hundreds of fruit trees, according to Palestinian sources.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing local sources, said the decision targets land in the village of al-Lubban al-Sharqiya.

Sources said the order includes uprooting hundreds of fruit-bearing trees, particularly olive and almond trees, located along the main Ramallah-Nablus road, near the village’s girls' secondary school and residential homes.

They added that residents were handed the demolition order under the pretext of “providing security for settlers,” warning that it would affect more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of agricultural land in the village plain.

Israeli forces and occupiers have stepped up attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, with the army continuing raids on cities, refugee camps and towns, along with mass arrest campaigns.

Since Oct. 2023, Israeli actions in the West Bank have killed more than 1,147 Palestinians, injured around 11,750, and led to the arrest of 22,000, according to Palestinian figures.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.