UN slams Israel on West Bank home demolitions
تصعيد هدم المنازل في القدس ومطالبات مقدسية بالانسحاب من المفاوضات
Israel destroyed 30 Palestinian properties in occupied territory, displacing families for second time in two weeks. || The United Nations has condemned Israel's demolition of 30 Palestinian properties in the occupied West Bank, saying it displaced families for the second time in less than two weeks. "I am concerned about the destruction of Palestinian structures in the Jordan Valley yesterday," UN Humanitarian Coordinator James Rawley said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The demolitions resulted in the displacement of 41 people, including 24 children, and affected another 20. Both refugee and non-refugee families were affected." the statement added. "Some of the families were displaced for the second time this month and a number of donor-funded structures were among those demolished."
Israel's civilian administration of the occupied West Bank had no immediate comment on the demolitions. A group of 36 NGOs last week urged Israel to stop demolishing Palestinian homes, hours ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry aimed at revitalising Middle East peace talks. "Demolitions often occur to facilitate the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, with 60 percent of demolitions occurring in Palestinian communities close to settlement zones," rights groups and charities including Oxfam, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in a joint statement. "Since the resumption of the peace process in July, Israel has destroyed 207 Palestinian homes and property in the occupied West Bank, displacing 311 Palestinians, over half of whom are children," they said.
Reuters: Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes at five-year high
WattanTV: بالفيديو... تصعيد هدم المنازل في القدس ومطالبات مقدسية بالانسحاب من المفاوضات