Hamas: Settlement activity in West Bank and Jerusalem reached its highest level

A report issued by Hamas’ Media Office said that Israeli occupation is moving at an accelerated pace to legalize most of the outposts built on occupied West Bank lands and to encourage Jews to settle there.

It described the Israeli occupation authorities’ (IOA) measures as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and The Hague Regulations.

The report indicated that the IOA settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem in 2012 reached its highest level compared to the last ten years, as the number of settlement units which have been approved to be built since the beginning of the current year is over 2380 units.

Hamas also pointed out that, according to Palestinian statistical data, the number of settlements in the West Bank was 144 settlements by the end of 2011, while the number of settlers exceeded 536000. In contrast at least 130000 Jerusalemite citizens do not have houses, as the IOA imposes restrictions on giving them permits for the construction of houses.

The report, which monitors settlement projects and settlers’ attacks during the period from October 16 to November 15 – 2012, revealed that “the IOA seeks to destroy the Islamic historical monuments in Wad Street to the east of occupied Jerusalem.”

It said that the IOA aims to change the interfaces of houses and shops along the street linking the Damascus Gate and the gates of Al-Aqsa mosque from the western side, and down to the area of al-Buraq, under the pretext of repairs and maintenance of the street.

The report also dealt with settlers’ attacks against Palestinian citizens in the West Bank and Jerusalem, such as attacks on agricultural crops, uprooting and stealing of olive trees, burning vehicles, physical attacks against civilians and writing racist slogans on walls.