In a disturbing turn of events, the Head of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Minister Moayad Shaaban, along with the commission’s cameraman, faced assault and detention by Israeli occupation forces during a military attack on a demonstration. The protest aimed to decry the illegal seizure of land in the town of Deir Istiya, situated to the west of Salfit.
Abdallah Abu Rahmeh, the head of the Popular Resistance Department at the commission, reported that Israeli forces violently detained Minister Shaaban and the commission’s cameraman while they were actively participating in the demonstration. The assault occurred as forces employed tear gas canisters to disperse the gathering; fortunately, no injuries were reported among the demonstrators.
The troubling incident unfolds against the backdrop of Israeli colonialists taking control of a parcel of land in Deir Istiya over two months ago. In a blatant violation, they installed mobile homes and animal sheds, established a dirt road, and extended water and electricity networks—a clear indication of preparations to establish a new colonial outpost in the area.
The international community closely watches these developments, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution and respect for the rights of the affected communities. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian populations in the occupied territories, raising concerns about the escalation of tensions and the impact on the prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region.