Israel orders demolition of 3 Palestinian homes in West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Israeli authorities on Sunday ordered the demolition of three Palestinian-owned homes and a structure in the occupied West Bank, according to a local activist.

Ibrahim Awad said Israeli forces raided Al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem city, and informed the owners of three under-construction homes and a barn on demolition orders.

He said Israeli authorities cited lack of building permits in Area C of the West Bank for the demolition orders.

Israel widely uses the pretext of lack of construction permits to demolish Palestinian homes, especially in Area C in the occupied West Bank, which constitutes around 60% of its space.

Under the 1995 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, was divided into three portions – Area A, B, and C.

Area C is under Israel’s administrative and security control until a final status agreement is reached with the Palestinians.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar