Israeli forces bar Palestinian villagers from their land

Ma’an -- Beit Ummar residents said Saturday that a protest demanding access to lands was quashed, and harassment from the Israeli military has continued throughout the week, as construction of a fence around part of the town was completed.

The town, adjacent to the illegal Israeli-only settlement of Karmi Zur, stages weekly protests against the land confiscation, and has been a recent flashpoint with teenagers throwing stones at frequent military patrols.

There has also been an increase in overnight detention campaigns by Israeli forces.

Tear-gas canisters were launched at the residents, who marched from the city center toward the confiscated lands, with a local spokesman saying the hot canisters set fire to agricultural lands belonging to Ahmad Saleh Abu Ayyash and Hashem Fawzi Abu Ayyash.

Local coordinator Yousef Abu Maria said a Swedish and an Israeli activist both suffered tear-gas inhalation, while Yatta residents and anti-confiscation rally supporters Rateb Yousef lA-Jbur and his son Luay were both beaten by soldiers during the protest.