Israeli occupation forces demolish Palestinian Al-Araqeeb village for the 169th time

OCCUPIED Al-QUDS, (ST)- The Israeli occupation forces on Monday demolished Al-Araqeeb village in the Palestinian Negev area for the 169th time. The Negev area has been occupied by Israel since 1948.

Maan News Agency reported that the occupation forces, accompanied by their bulldozers, stormed the village of Al-Araqeeb and razed the Palestinians’ homes and tents after forcibly removing the residents from their homes.

The locals of Al-Araqeeb affirmed that they will continue to be steadfast and will rebuild their houses and set up their tents again. They reiterated their rejection of the occupation’s plans to judaize the Palestinian villages, pointing out that the Israeli occupation has destroyed tens of villages in the Palestinian territories, occupied in 1948, and displaced many Palestinian families.

 occupation forces demolish house near Bethlehem

Also today, the Israeli occupation forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in the town of al-Khader, to the south of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, under the pretext that it was built without a permit, according to Hasan Breijieh, from the anti-wall, anti-settlement committee in Bethlehem, according to Wafa News Agency.

He told the agency  that a large unit of Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, raided the town and proceeded to demolish the 120-square meter house owned by a Palestinian called Sameeh Salah.

Breijieh noted that the house was demolished under the pretext that it was built without a permit even though the owner had registration deeds proving ownership of the land and that he has already applied for a building permit.

Yet, he said, the Israeli authorities nevertheless proceeded to demolish the house in a clear act of vengeance.

Hamda Mustafa