First-of-Its-Kind Demolition in Area B, PCHR Condemns Israeli Occupation Forces’ Demolition of House and 2 Facilities upon Military Orders in Hebron

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli Occupation Forces’ demolition of an under-construction house, commercial facility and concrete slab upon military demolition orders in an unprecedented crime in Area B in the West Bank, which is under the Palestinian Authority (PA) control.

According to PCHR’s field documentation, at around 08:20 on Thursday, 19 September 2024, IOF backed by several military vehicles and accompanied with 2 Hyundai excavators and a Volvo bulldozer moved into Beit ‘Awwa village, which is located in the PA-controlled Area B, southwest of Dura in southwestern Hebron. IOF stationed in the western part of the village while their vehicles started demolishing an under-construction house of 140 square meters belonging to Mohammed Mousa al-Sweiti and a 500-sqm tinplated barrack belonging to Rami Salamah Abu ‘Ameer that he uses for dismantling scrap.  Also, they demolished a concrete slab for a house to be built for Thaer al-Sweiti.

The demolition came after IOF raided the area, which is 200-220 meters away from the annexation wall, on 22 July 2024 and handed demolition notices for the abovementioned facilities. At the time, the Israeli occupation authorities took photos of the facilities and informed their owners to cease work there.  The notices came under (Annex B- Announcement for Intended Demolition), in which the Israeli authorities have claimed, ” The construction is unlawful within a building prohibition area. Thus, the lands will be seized.” “The construction is in Area B as defined under the Oslo Accords.”

It should be noted that these notices are named by “military-security demolition notices” and issued by either the IOF or the military commander. The Israeli occupation authorities have recently issued intended demolition notices against the Palestinian-owned buildings near or overlooking the annexation wall.  They have also issued similar notices in Hebron, particularly in the villages of Deir al-‘Asal and al-Ramadeen in the south, claiming these dwellings are located in proximity of the annexation wall.

Israel’s new policy raises concern over extension of demolition by military orders to affect Area B and thereby increasing the number of demolished houses in the West Bank, where IOF conduct extensive demolitions under different pretexts, including demolitions for illegal construction that is widespread in Area C, demolitions as collective punishment and demolition by air bombardment, explosives and bulldozers during IOF’s incursions of the Palestinian cities and refugee camps.  According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian

Affairs, IOF have demolished since the beginning of the year 1256 structures, displacing 3202 Palestinians.

PCHR condemns and raises alarm about Israel’s crime of demolition, which crystalizes its de facto annexation policy of the West Bank, warning of further house demolitions and displacement of Palestinians in what amounts to ethnic cleansing.

PCHR calls on the international community to take immediate action to stop Israel’s crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and end their double standards in the application of the international law.  We reiterate the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations and prosecute those accused of committing international crimes.

PCHR reemphasizes that dealing with the situation in Palestine can be only achieved through addressing the root causes and this is the responsibility of the international community and its bodies; otherwise, Israel will bring an end to the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination amid the international community’s approval and silence on the Israeli crimes.