SALFIT: Israeli occupation forces notified several Palestinian families of their intentions to take over their lands in the archaeological area of Deir Qala, east of the town of Deir Ballut in Salfit.
Local sources told WAFA correspondent that a land area of around 18 dunums is threatened with imminent seizure by the occupation. The land is owned by several families in the town.
Deir Qala is located 2 km east of Deir Ballut, where the monastery of Ballut was built more than 1,500 years ago.
The Israeli occupation prevents access to the monastery, while colonial construction continues to advance alongside the site through the illegal ‘Beduel’ settlement.
The “Leshem” settlement, built illegally on citizens’ lands in the towns of Kafr al-Dik and Deir Ballut, is also located close to the archaeological area of Deir Qala.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency