Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian factory, destroyed agricultural structures, and razed farmland in the town of Beit Ula, northwest of Hebron, on Wednesday, in what local officials described as another blow to Palestinian livelihoods and economic resilience in the occupied West Bank.

According to Beit Ula Mayor Mahmoud al-Sarrahin, Israeli forces raided the al-Mikhd area west of the town before demolishing a factory specializing in iron manufacturing, decorative metalwork, and the production of solar panel mounting systems.

The factory, owned by Ishaq Muhammad al-Atrash and Rajai al-Amleh, covered an area of more than 800 square meters, according to Wael Abu Habtain "Farash," a member of the committee responsible for supporting the resilience of residents in western Beit Ula.

Farash said Israeli forces also demolished several agricultural structures, each measuring approximately 20 square meters, belonging to Muhammad Khalid Sidr, Osama Farash, and Ahmad Yusuf al-Amleh.

In addition to the demolitions, Israeli bulldozers razed approximately 1,500 square meters of agricultural land, destroying stone retaining walls and uprooting olive trees and other crops surrounding the factory.

Local residents said they were caught by surprise as Israeli forces carried out the demolition operation, leaving them no opportunity to remove machinery, equipment, goods, office materials, or other property from the factory.

"We were shocked by the demolition," residents said, adding that the destruction affected every component of the facility, including production equipment, machinery, storage areas, offices, and commercial goods.

Residents noted that this marks the fourth factory demolished by Israeli authorities in the area, resulting in financial losses estimated in the millions of dollars and leaving hundreds of Palestinian workers without employment.

They warned that the repeated demolitions are worsening unemployment and undermining the economic stability of Palestinian communities already facing mounting challenges under the Israeli occupation.

Palestinian officials and human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Israel's demolition policies in the occupied West Bank, arguing that they violate international law and further erode Palestinians' ability to sustain their livelihoods and remain on their land.

The latest demolition comes amid continued Israeli military operations and settlement expansion across the occupied Palestinian territories, developments that have drawn widespread international concern over their impact on Palestinian communities and prospects for a just and lasting peace. (ILKHA)