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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli bulldozers on Sunday destroyed agricultural land belonging to the village of al-Walaja, northwest of Bethlehem, local officials said.

Head of al-Walaja village council Saleh Khalifa said that a number of bulldozers accompanied by Israeli soliders destroyed land in the Ein Jozeh area of the village to expand the separation wall, official news agency Wafa reported.

Soldiers prevented farmers from reaching their land, Khalifa said.

Earlier in September, EU representatives said they were "deeply concerned" by the impact of the Israeli separation wall on the village, saying it "will cut off much of the village's land," preventing residents from accessing their property and agricultural land.

Upon completion the wall will completely "encircle" the village, EU representatives said, leaving only a single access road connecting the village to the West Bank.

The separation wall is illegal in all areas built on occupied land, they added.

As well as mounting legal challenges to the route, al-Walaja residents hold regular demonstrations against the impact of the wall.