Expansion under way at West Bank settlement

Tractors began clearing rocky ground Wednesday for the expansion of a large Jewish settlement on a hilltop overlooking the West Bank Arab town of Hebron, military officials reported. The officials said the tractors began work on some 150 acres of land at Givat Harsina, a hilltop several yards from the Jewish suburb of Kiryat Arba.

In response, Hebron Mayor Fahd Kawasma held a protest meeting on the site and called for the work to stop. He said 30 villagers from nearby Baninayim had documented proof to ownership of the lands.