Violation: the occupation transferred wheat fields to a military training camp
Date: May15, 2014
Location: Aqraba- Nablus governorate
Perpetrators: the army of the Israeli occupation
Victims: residents of Khirbet al-Taweel
Details:
In synchronization with houses, barns and a mosque demolitions in Khirbet al-Taweel, east of Aqraba town from the April29 until May06, 2014, the Israeli occupation turned an agricultural land into a training camp at time of wheat harvesting season.
The residents of the Khirbet were surprised that the Israeli soldiers spread around the fields, forced farmers out of the lands and even confiscated some houses under the pretext of conducting military trainings.
Photos1: soldiers spread around the fields initiating the military training
A human rights activist to the LRC observer stated that: “it is not the first time the occupation announced the area a” military zone”, that is to disperse the citizens by demolishing their houses, barns, water reservoirs and even confiscating and sabotaging their fields. That is how the occupation deprives inhabitants their simplest rights given to them by the humanitarian conventions”.
He also added: “there are no statistics for the damages for the occupation spread deep down the fields using their heavy machinery. As a result of that, famers missed the plantation season that they were waiting for impatiently since farming and agricultural work are the jobs they master due to the Israeli blockade on the area.
Khirbet al-Taweel:
It is considered part of the eastern Aqraba town to the southeast of Nablus city, more specifically, in the natural block no. 10 of Aqraba's agricultural lands. It is 1.5km away from the built-up area of Aqraba.
Khirbet al- Taweel has 30000 dunums of agricultural and pastoral lands, 8000 dunums of which are arid mountains and sand lands. There are also 15000 arable dunums and 7000 dunums that are subject to colonial activities and colonies establishment.
al-Taweel has a population of 800 people and is part of Aqraba lands that totals 51,441 dunums1350 of which are built-up area and nine dunums that belong to al-Taweel.
Khirbet al-Taweel is composed of four small Islamic and Roman smaller Khirbets namely Tal Al Khashaba, Mrasal-deen, and Al- Arqan. There are several old wells spread over the agricultural lands proving that the town was anciently inhabited. The moderate climate of winter ensures best plantation and abundant pastures which have encouraged farmers to use the land and even reside in it. There is not even a single farmer who does not have an agricultural land in this town.
The occupation confiscated 2218 dunums of Aqraba lands for the favor of the following:
1087 dunums were confiscated for the favor of Jetit, (established in 1973 and populates up to 119 colonists) and Itmar (established in 1948 and populates up to557 colonists)
743 dunums for the favor of opening bypass roads no.(505,508)
398 dunums for the favor of establishing Israeli military camps.
According to Oslo Accords, Aqraba lands are classified as the following:
16253 dunums area classified area “B”
35188 dunums area classified area “C”
Noteworthy, most parts of the lands classified area “C” are used for the sake of military training.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
