Rights Group: ’Israel’s’ New Settlement Plan to Displace Thousands of Bedouins

Local Editor

A non-profit civil rights group had warned that the Tel Aviv regime's latest plan for the construction of five new settlements in the Negev region of the southern "Israeli"-annexed Palestinian territories threatens to force thousands of Palestinian Bedouins from their homes.

The Association for Civil Rights in the "Israeli"-occupied territories [ACRI] warned in a statement that the construction of the new town of Daya on the top of the Katamat village would displace its 1,500 Bedouin residents.

The ACRI further noted that another 6,000 Palestinian Bedouin people would be uprooted as a result of Neve Gurion, which is meant to be built on the Be'er Hadaj village.

The "Israeli" regime had been carrying out forced evacuations against Palestinian Bedouins since 1949.

The demolition of Bedouin homes is part of "Israel's" massive land-grab policy, which will forcefully displace thousands of people.

Tel Aviv had so far refused to recognize the rights of Palestinian Bedouins and denies them access to basic services.

Human rights groups said the latest move will lead to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living there.

On November 22, the "Israeli" apartheid regime approved a plan to establish five towns in an area populated by Palestinian Bedouins in the Negev Desert. "Israeli" Minister Yoav Galant praised the "Israeli" cabinet's approval of his plan.

Meanwhile, Palestinian officials said two more young Palestinian men have lost their lives in a fresh round of violence between "Israeli" regime's forces and Palestinian protesters in the occupied West Bank.

On Thursday morning, "Israeli" forces shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian, identified as Yehya Taha, when clashes broke out during an "Israeli" raid in the town of Qatanna, located 12 kilometers [7.4 miles] northwest of al-Quds [Jerusalem].

Locals said "Israeli" troops stormed Qatanna at dawn, ransacking homes and detaining several residents.

Violence flared as Palestinian youths clashed with "Israeli" forces. Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets and live rounds. Taha was shot in the head and died immediately.

"Israeli" forces also fatally shot a 51-year-old Palestinian man, identified as Hassan Samer Seresi, at the Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, when he allegedly sought to stab an "Israeli" soldier.

Tensions between Palestinian protesters and "Israeli" forces in the besieged West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue unabated. The fresh wave of unrest was triggered by the "Israeli" regime's imposition in August of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds.

Palestinians are also angry at increasing violence by "Israeli" settlers who frequently storm the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The Palestinians say the Tel Aviv regime seeks to change the status quo of the compound.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 100 Palestinians had been martyred and hundreds of others injured since the "Israeli" apartheid regime began a harsh crackdown on the Palestinians in early October.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team