Milan, Sept. 3 (LaPresse) – The Israeli Defense Ministry's Civil Administration Department has declared approximately 45 hectares of land adjacent to the illegal Havat Gilad outpost in the northern West Bank as ‘state land’, meaning it will be available for settlement and infrastructure development. The Times of Israel reports that the land was previously part of the administrative lands of the nearby Palestinian villages of Jit, Tell, and Fara'ata, although it is not privately owned. Anyone claiming private ownership of the land may appeal the decision within 45 days of the declaration, which was approved on Sept. 1. The Times of Israel points out that although the land declared by Israel as state property is probably not privately owned, the boundaries of the new state-owned area are drawn in a tortuous manner and include ‘islands’ of land that may be privately owned by Palestinians.
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