OCHA: “Israel” continues demolishing and seizing Palestinian-owned structures

In September, the Israeli occupation authorities demolished, forced people to demolish, or seized eight Palestinian-owned structures across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

 

This resulted in the displacement of two people, and affected the livelihoods or access to services of about 50 others. 

 

The number of structures demolished or seized, and people displaced, so far in 2021 represents an increase of 21 and 28 per cent respectively, compared with the equivalent figures in 2020. In 2021, 311 structures, or 56 per cent of all structures targeted in Area C, have been seized without, or with very short, prior notice, utilizing various military orders, effectively preventing people from objecting in advance.

 

Three structures were demolished In Area C. All the structures were houses under construction, two of which were demolished on the basis of Military Order 1797, providing a 96-hour notice only, and very limited grounds, for legally challenging a demolition.

 

All the five structures in East Jerusalem were demolished by their owners, including two home extensions where an elderly woman and a girl were displaced. The total number of such demolitions carried out by the owners since the beginning of the year in East Jerusalem has reached 68.

 

No donated structure was demolished or seized in September. Nevertheless, the number of such assets demolished or confiscated has increased by almost 96 per cent so far in 2021 compared with the equivalent period in 2020 (from 94 to 184). A renewed warning was issued against an EU-funded school, which remains under threat of demolition.

 

Basma Qaddour