Civil Administration imposes sanctions on polluting factories near Hebron

Head of the Civil Administration Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim orders sanctions and the revocation of permits for several Palestinian factory owners operating near Hebron over their “severe environmental pollution,” COGAT says.

According to the Civil Administration – a division of COGAT, the Defense Ministry body that regulates daily life in the West Bank – factories south of Hebron illegally discharged sewage into the Hebron River and nearby open areas, causing significant air and environmental pollution affecting Beersheba and surrounding communities.

“Following several warning calls issued to the owners, a decision was made to revoke crossing permits from the factory owners and their employees, in accordance with the unit’s authority,” COGAT’s statement reads, apparently referring to border crossing permits. “In addition, the factories’ illegal sewage systems were disconnected and sealed.”

The Civil Administration says similar civil sanctions will be imposed elsewhere in the West Bank following assessments “in areas where it is determined that such sanctions will lead to the eradication of polluting factors.”