Expanding Settlements Tighten Grip on West Bank’s Marda
The village sits in a valley overshadowed by the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel, one of the largest blocs in the northern West Bank. Over decades, Ariel has grown steadily, consuming land from neighboring villages.
In recent weeks, widespread bulldozing and the removal of hundreds of olive trees have taken place to expand a settlement road known as the “Trans-Samaria” highway. This has heightened residents’ concerns about losing more agricultural land and facing stricter access restrictions.
“The village has faced continuous land confiscations for years, but what is happening now represents a new stage of settlement expansion,” explained Marda’s local council chief Sadiq al-Khafsh in remarks to a news agency.
He added, “Marda is facing a fierce campaign of bulldozing and settlement activity, with trees being uprooted and land being razed continuously, alongside a siege and strict closures at the village entrances.”
Israeli forces frequently shut the western entrance of the village and impose restrictions at the eastern gate, making daily movement increasingly difficult for residents, according to Khafsh.
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