Jenin:Israeli occupation forces have begun razing land in the "Wadi al-Lazzam" area of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, to construct a colonial road on privately-owned Palestinian land. This road aims to connect various settlements, including "Noa," "Gadim," and "Ganim," passing through the towns of Marka and Misliya.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the construction follows the issuance of 15 "seizure" orders by the occupation government, authorizing the seizure of approximately 178 dunums of land for an 11.5-kilometer-long road. This road is intended to link the "Emek Dothan" settlement, built on Arraba's land, to the "Noa" settlement.
Tariq Ighbariya, an official in charge of the settlements file in the Jenin Governorate, highlighted the impact of these actions, noting that about one-third of the affected land overlaps with "Area A," which is under the full control of the Palestinian National Authority. He stated that the razing exceeds what was specified in military orders and is part of settlement expansion policies linked to upcoming elections.
Ighbariya further explained that the construction coincides with an escalation of military measures in the Jenin Governorate, including the installation of iron gates and closure of checkpoints, exacerbating the residents' suffering and disrupting daily life. These measures aim to isolate towns and villages from Jenin, restrict movement, and control access to lands.
The occupation's bulldozers have also blocked entrances at the Al-Badia roundabout with earthen berms, further complicating travel for residents. Ighbariya warned that these actions threaten agricultural lands and economic interests, contributing to a policy of tightening control over the land and expanding settlements at the expense of Palestinian landowners.