UN: ’Israel’ Razed Homes of 77 Palestinians This Week

Local Editor

The United Nations has accused the Zionist entity of illegally demolishing the homes of 77 Palestinians, mostly children, this week in occupied east al-Quds and the occupied West Bank.

"In the past three days, 77 Palestinians, over half of them children, have been made homeless," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement issued Friday evening.

It further mentioned: "Some of the demolished structures were provided by the international community to support vulnerable families."
"Demolitions that result in forced evictions and displacement run counter to "Israel's" obligations under international law and create unnecessary suffering and tension. They must stop immediately," said OCHA.

The demolitions took place in Occupied East al-Quds and the districts of Ramallah, and al-Khalil, it added.

OCHA said that during 2014 Tel Aviv carried out a record number of demolitions in east al-Quds and a zone of the West Bank under full "Israeli" occupation known as Area C.

"In 2014, according to OCHA figures, the "Israeli" authorities destroyed 590 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and east al-Quds, displacing 1,177 people -- the highest level of displacement in the West Bank since OCHA began systematically monitoring the issue in 2008."

It did not specify how many of the structures were homes or animal shelters or other outbuildings.

"The planning policies applied by "Israel" in Area C and east "Jerusalem" [al-Quds] discriminate against Palestinians, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain building permits," said OCHA.

"As a result, many Palestinians build without permits to meet their housing needs and risk having their structures demolished.
"Palestinians must have the opportunity to participate in a fair and equitable planning system that ensures their needs are met," it said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team