Israeli settlers carried out a raid on a Palestinian agricultural property in the town of Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah, during the early hours of Tuesday. The incident resulted in the theft of approximately 300 sheep and a purebred Arabian horse, directly targeting the assets and primary source of income for a local farmer.
Yousef Fawaz Awadneh, the owner of the affected farm, reported that the perpetrators cut through the perimeter fencing and severed the locks before entering two pens. Inside, they removed the livestock and the horse. Awadneh emphasized that he possesses official documentation and certificates proving his ownership of the Arabian horse.
The farmer stated that he remained at the farm until shortly after 1:00 a.m. before returning to his residence. Upon waking and returning to the site in the morning, he discovered the breach and the missing animals. He noted that the farm is located in the Hayan area, situated near the entrance to Deir Dibwan.
Following the discovery of the crime, Awadneh tracked the movement of the stolen sheep. His investigation revealed that the animals had traveled a significant distance toward a settlement outpost established on Palestinian lands east of the nearby village of Barqa.
This robbery occurs within a broader context of escalating violence against Palestinian farmers and shepherds across various parts of the West Bank. Recent incidents have included the theft of livestock, as well as the destruction of private property, homes, and agricultural equipment. Furthermore, Palestinians residing in areas adjacent to settlement outposts face increasing restrictions and pressure.
Livestock represents a fundamental economic pillar for many Palestinian farming and herding families. Consequently, the targeted theft of these animals constitutes a direct assault on their livelihoods, carrying severe economic and social repercussions for those who lose their herds. Human rights observers argue that the recurrence of such attacks exacerbates pressures on landowners and nomadic communities.
According to human rights institutions, the intensifying pace of settler violence in the West Bank is forcing some families to abandon their regions or relinquish their sources of income entirely. The systematic nature of these disruptions threatens the sustainability of agricultural practices in the affected areas.
