Israeli Forces Demolish Memorial Hill and Confiscate Sheep Herd Near Emmanuel Settlement

Two days before the 30-day memorial of Beniya Malat's murder, large forces from the Border Police and the Civil Administration conducted demolition and evacuation operations at the "Shepherds' Village" outpost near the Emmanuel settlement in the West Bank. According to activists at the site, the forces confiscated a herd of sheep used by the residents and a tractor, loading the livestock onto a trailer and removing them along with other seized equipment. The evacuation followed a closed military zone order issued by the West Bank Division commander, Kobi Heller, which is set to last one month to prevent continued presence at the site.

During the night, dozens of residents gathered at the Yakir junction to protest the evacuation and confiscation, leading to clashes with Border Police forces who used stun grenades and tear gas. The outpost was established in memory of Beniya Malat, who had planned to create a settlement point there before his murder. Friends of Malat decided to realize his plan posthumously, emphasizing the strategic importance of the location between Nablus and Salfit, near Emmanuel.

This demolition is part of a broader enforcement campaign in the West Bank, with seven outposts evacuated in two days and nine demolitions and evacuations reported in the past week alone. Activists criticize the recent surge in enforcement actions, noting a significant increase compared to the same period last year.