Maan News Agency | Dec 4, 2012

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HEBRON (Ma’an) — Israeli forces demolished a mosque in the south Hebron hills on Tuesday, locals said.

The mosque in al-Mafqara village, near Yatta, was destroyed by Israeli forces, who prevented locals from removing books and other objects prior to the demolition, witnesses told Ma’an.

The mosque was first destroyed in 2011, having been issued a demolition order in 2003. In June this year, villagers and international activists tried to reconstruct the religious site, but were prevented from doing so by Israeli military forces.

Villagers condemned the demolition, calling it a violation of their right to worship. Israeli forces are trying to force villagers to leave their homes in order to expand Jewish-only settlements, they added.

Israeli authorities have outlined plans to demolish and evacuate eight villages in the south Hebron hills area to make space for a military training zone.