Armed Israeli settlers today forced shepherds to leave the open pastures west of the ancient city of Jericho, east of the occupied West Bank, according to a local activist.

Hasan Mleihat, an activist in defending the rights of Bedouins, said a number of armed settlers prevented two shepherds from herding in the pastures and forced them at gunpoint to leave the area.

He said the settlers have recently intensified their attacks against shepherds and prevent them from being more than two kilometers from their dwellings.

Source: Palestine News and Info News Agency