Nablus: Israeli occupation forces on Monday continued razing a tract of land belonging to the inhabitants of Qusra town, south of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, according to a local source. Hani Odeh, head of the Qusra Village Council, reported that an Israeli army bulldozer proceeded with leveling the inhabitants' lands to the northeast of the town, moving very close to the built-up area.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israeli colonists have set up mobile homes on the inhabitants' lands as a precursor for land expropriation and the construction of a colonial outpost. Located to the south of Nablus, Qusra occupies an estimated area of 9,000 dunams. Under the Oslo Accords, an agreement made 33 years ago intended to last five years towards a self-governing country alongside Israel, the Palestinian Authority was given limited control over approximately half of the town's total area. In contrast, Israel, the occupying power, maintains control over the remainder, classified as Area C.
Israel has seized large tracts of the inhabitants' lands for the construction of five colonies, namely Migdalim (constructed in 1984), Esh Kodesh, Ahiya, Adei Ad, and Kida. The occupying forces erected a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to the village, later replacing it with dirt mounds and a gate, completely blocking access from the village to Route 505. The village's access to Route 60, via Qabalan, was blocked earlier.