Israeli military demolishes more residential structures in Tubas

Israeli army Thursday demolished a number of a residential structure and agricultural facility on the outskirts of Tubas, in northern Jordan Valley, according to local sources.

Witnesses said an Israeli army force accompanied by bulldozers stormed the area and demolished the structures, under the pretext of construction without an Israeli-obtained permit.

This came only two days after the Israeli army demolished multiple residential tents in the village of Fasayel in the southern West Bank.

Almost on a daily basis Israel carries out demolitions in the Jordan Valley and the remainder of Area C, under complete Israeli control, on arbitrary unpermitted construction grounds.

Since Israel imposes strict restrictions on the issuance of construction permits to Palestinians, many Palestinians living in this area, which makes up almost 75% of the total area of the West Bank, are frequently compelled to construct without obtaining permits in order to shelter their families.

Meanwhile, the EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed, in a Thursday statement, their deep concern over the increasing number of demolitions of Palestinian structures in Area C in recent days.

According to the statement, the demolitions on 17 August alone in four localities in the Jerusalem area directly affected 78 people including 49 children, which is the largest displacement in a single day since December 2012.

A further 42 people including 27 children were displaced by demolitions in Fasayel, North of Jericho on 18 August, the statement said, adding, “Both demolitions took place at the height of a heat-wave further exacerbating the situation of the communities concerned.”

The missions also expressed concern over the beginning of works for the construction of the separation barrier in the Cremisan valley on 17 August, with the uprooting of trees in an ancient olive grove. If built, the EU says, the barrier will severely restrict access of 58 Palestinian families to their agricultural land and profoundly affect their livelihoods.

“EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 20 July 2015, in which the EU reiterated its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation - including of EU funded projects - evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts, settler violence and restrictions of movement and access,” concluded the statement.