Hebron: Dozens of Palestinians performed Friday prayers on agricultural land threatened by occupier attacks in the city of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank, despite the Israeli army declaring the area a 'closed military zone' and trying to prevent them from reaching it.

According to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian activist Saud Salimiya reported that 'dozens of residents headed to their land east of the town of Idhna, but the Israeli army imposed a military closure on the area and tried to block their access.' Nevertheless, residents managed to reach parts of their land and performed Friday prayers, affirming their attachment to the land and rejection of attempts to seize it.

Salimiya highlighted the ongoing issues in the area, stating that there has been a steady escalation in attacks for more than three months by occupiers from the Adora settlement. This escalation began after mobile homes were placed on a nearby hill. The activist noted that occupiers frequently invade the farmland, releasing livestock during the harvest season, which damages crops. Furthermore, occupiers are reportedly involved in stealing and burning crops belonging to Palestinian residents.

The prayer gathering was not only a religious act but also a symbolic message asserting that the land stretching east of Idhna to the area around the Adora settlement is Palestinian land owned by the town's residents. Salimiya emphasized that the community intends to continue their presence and defend their land.

The Israeli army justifies its restrictive measures by claiming to protect occupiers through the imposition of a fait accompli by declaring the area a closed military zone. However, residents reject these measures and are determined to continue accessing their land.

This incident is part of a broader context of escalating occupier attacks on Palestinian villages and communities in the West Bank. These attacks include the burning of homes, vehicles, and farmland, as well as assaults on residents, particularly in areas near settlements and settlement outposts. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli army and occupiers have reportedly killed at least 1,169 Palestinians in the West Bank, wounded 12,666 others, arrested about 23,000, and displaced 33,000, according to official Palestinian figures.