Over 300 Palestinian structures demolished by Israel in West Bank this year: Rights group

By Qais Abu Samra

ISTANBUL (AA) – Israel demolished 312 Palestinian residential and agricultural structures during the first six weeks of 2026, a Palestinian rights group said Thursday.

The start of 2026 has seen a “notable escalation” in Israeli demolitions and illegal settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, the Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights said in a statement.

The center, citing figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA), said Israeli authorities had razed 312 structures from the beginning of the year through Feb. 18, affecting about 21,000 Palestinians.

Most of the demolitions took place in Area C, which makes up about 60% of the West Bank and remains under full Israeli control.

“Between Feb. 16 and 23, 86 illegal settlers attacks were recorded targeting 60 communities, leading to the displacement of 186 Palestinians, the injury of 64 individuals - some of whom were shot with live bullets by settlers, the burning of 39 vehicles and uprooting 800 olive trees,” the center said, calling the figures “alarming.”

“These measures constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the destruction of private property in occupied territory except where absolutely required by military necessity,” it added.

The center noted that attacks by illegal settlers included physical assaults on residents, property damage and preventing shepherds from accessing their land.

It accused Israeli authorities of failing to protect Palestinian civilians, leading to “near-weekly forced displacement” in Area C to expand settlements.

The group called on the international community to pressure Israel “to halt demolitions and displacement, ensure protection for Palestinian civilians, hold those responsible accountable and provide legal and humanitarian support to Palestinian rights organizations.”

Since the war in Gaza began on Oct. 8, 2023, Israeli forces and illegal settlers have intensified attacks in the West Bank, including killings, arrests, property destruction, demolitions, displacement and settlement expansion.

The violence has killed at least 1,117 Palestinians, wounded about 11,500 and led to the arrest of around 22,000 others.

Palestinians warn that the actions could pave the way for Israel to formally annex the West Bank, effectively ending the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state as outlined in UN resolutions.

*Writing by Lina Altawell