Residents Thwart Palestinian Road Construction Near Mount Ebal Altar

Residents of the "Mitzpe Yehoshua" outpost on Mount Ebal in Samaria reported on Thursday that they spotted engineering vehicles attempting to pave a dirt road from Nablus towards the ancient Altar of Joshua site. The residents alerted security forces and proceeded to the location, leading to the halt of the work and the confiscation of one vehicle. According to the residents' report, the vehicles were operating in Area C, a zone where previous attempts to build a road from Nablus to the archaeological site had been made. Upon identifying the construction, residents immediately contacted their community security officer and the army, then descended towards the vehicles to stop the work. The residents claim that as soon as the operators noticed their approach, they ceased operations and fled rapidly back towards Nablus. One vehicle was seized and confiscated, which, according to the residents, prevented the completion of the road towards the altar.

This is not the first incident in the area, as residents state the Palestinian Authority has repeatedly tried to pave this road in the past, but resident activity and army patrols thwarted these efforts. "Recently, we have been noticing unusual activity of heavy machinery in the area, and it appears the Palestinian Authority is trying to revive its plan to take over the Altar of Joshua site here on Mount Ebal," said local residents. They linked the struggle for the site to the memory of Benyahu Melt, who was killed in a terror attack near Gilad Farm three months prior and was a leading figure in efforts to prevent the road construction.

One resident stated, "Benyahu Melt, who fell in a severe attack near Gilad Farm three months ago, led the struggle to stop the plan, and after his murder, we decided to establish a settlement point near the altar, understanding that this is the only way to permanently stop the plan, and the results are evident on the ground." Residents also claim that in recent years, the Palestinian Authority has increased its attempts to operate at historical sites and near water sources in Samaria and the Jordan Valley, citing Tel Aroma, the Hasmonean Palaces in Jericho, Wadi Zarqa springs in Binyamin, and Nahal Kana in western Samaria as examples. The establishment of the settlement point near the Altar of Joshua is intended to ensure a permanent presence in the area and prevent further attempts to pave the road to the site.