The Israeli occupation army on Wednesday announced its intent to take over a vast tract of agricultural land in the towns of al-Khader and Artas south of Bethlehem.
Local official Hasan Burajiya reported that the Israeli army issued military orders for the annexation of 350 dunums of agricultural land in al-Khader and Artas in order to expand a road for Jewish settlers.
Burajiya explained that this annexed area would be used to expand the bypass known as Road 60 which would mean that more land would be devoured for settlement expansion.
He added that this expansion activity would prevent local farmers from reaching and cultivating their agricultural plots of land.
