Israel demolishes West Bank homes to build 'settlement belt' near Hebron

Israeli forces demolished Palestinian homes in the West Bank town of Beit Ummar, part of a broader effort to establish a settlement belt from northern to southern Hebron, according to local mayor Ahmad Rajoub. The move would fragment the area and further entrench Israeli control, escalating tensions amid ongoing settlement expansion. The claim is based on a single local official's account, with no independent corroboration.