Jewish settlement under construction in the Har Homa in eastern Jerusalem, 15 Jun 2008

An Israeli human rights group says Israeli authorities have allowed Jewish settlers to seize more than 400 hectares of land from Palestinian farmers by extending security barriers.

The Rights group, B'Tselem issued a report Thursday saying settlers, with government backing, installed security fences around 12 West Bank settlements, cutting off access to private land owned by Palestinians.

Israeli officials say the security zones are meant to protect Israelis from attacks.

The report notes that settlers have also used violence and systematic harassment to force Palestinian farmers from the land.

In a separate development in Gaza, Israeli military officials say two bombs exploded today near an Israeli army vehicle on patrol near the border barrier. Nobody was injured in the blasts.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.