Gaza: Israeli Plan to establish new colonial settlement at entrance to Umm Tuba neighborhood: The Jerusalem Governorate reported that the so-called 'District Planning and Building Committee,' affiliated with the Israeli occupation authorities, has deposited a plan to establish a new colonial settlement, named 'Nofey Rachel,' at the main entrance to the Umm Tuba neighborhood, south of occupied Jerusalem, in a move that threatens to further restrict the neighborhood and its residents and reinforce colonial control over the area.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the plan calls for the construction of approximately 650 colonial housing units on about 27 dunums of land adjacent to Palestinian homes in Umm Tuba. This initiative forms part of a broader series of colonial plans being advanced in the southern areas of occupied Jerusalem.
The plan's impact extends beyond the construction of colonial housing units. Its strategic location at the neighborhood's main entrance is expected to significantly affect residents' daily lives and their movement to and from Umm Tuba. It also threatens to constrain the neighborhood's expansion and urban development.
The governorate highlighted ongoing challenges faced by the residents of Umm Tuba, as Israeli occupation authorities continue to impose restrictions on Palestinian construction. This includes demolition and eviction notices, as well as stringent measures related to land ownership and building permits, while simultaneously facilitating large-scale colonial projects comprising hundreds of housing units.
The Jerusalem Governorate emphasized that these plans are indicative of a colonial policy aimed at restricting the Palestinian presence and preventing its urban expansion. These actions expand colonization efforts and impose new realities on Palestinian land in occupied Jerusalem.