Tubas: Israeli occupation forces continue to isolate the al-Ras al-Ahmar area, southeast of Tubas in the occupied West Bank, by digging a trench and closing access routes leading to the area.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the head of the Atuf and al-Ras al-Ahmar village council, Abdullah Basharat, reported that Israeli forces have been implementing measures for several days to isolate the area. These measures include closing access routes and digging a trench that restricts the movement of Palestinians and vehicles, hindering access to and from the area.
Basharat highlighted that these actions are disrupting citizens' movement and preventing them from reaching their lands and property. This comes amid ongoing Israeli restrictions and actions against residents in the region. On a recent Saturday, three Palestinians grazing livestock in al-Ras al-Ahmar were detained by Israeli soldiers, who also issued threats to detain anyone present in the area.
The region has experienced extensive land leveling over several months to facilitate the construction of a military road. This road, which is reported to be 22 kilometers long and 50 meters wide, starts near the Ein Shibli checkpoint southeast of Tubas and concludes near the Tayasir checkpoint east of Tubas, traversing parts of the Atuf plain and al-Ras al-Ahmar.
The land leveling operations have been accompanied by the demolition of groundwater wells, plastic greenhouses, and the destruction of irrigation networks and water pipelines, further impacting citizens' access to farmland, water, and their livelihoods.