West Bank demolitions and displacement
In November 2019, 64 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized, displacing 141 people, including 71 children, and otherwise affecting the livelihoods or access to services of over 400 others. Fifty-seven of these structures, located in Area C or East Jerusalem, were targeted on grounds of lack of building permits, while the other seven, in an Area B community, were demolished on punitive grounds.
In October 2019, the Israeli authorities demolished or seized 50 Palestinian-owned structures, displacing 80 people, including 41 children, and otherwise affecting the livelihoods or access to services of 216 others. All but two structures were demolished or seized due to the lack of building permits, which are nearly impossible or Palestinians to obtain.
42 per cent increase in demolitions since the start of 2019 compared to same period in 2018. New demolitions in a south Hebron ‘firing zone’, exacerbate risk of forcible transfer. 17 donor-funded structures demolished or seized and three placed at risk.
Military order allowing expedited demolitions was implemented again during August. Seven donor-funded structures demolished or seized and 11 placed at risk. 37 per cent increase in demolitions since the start of 2019 compared to 2018.
Number of persons displaced so far this year exceeds total for 2018. Ten buildings near the Barrier demolished on security grounds. 24 donor-funded structures demolished or seized during July, the largest such figure in a single month since January 2017.
The first half of 2019 has recorded an increase of 50 per cent in overall demolitions and 78 per cent in donor-funded structures demolished, compared to the equivalent period in 2018. Six communities in firing zones across the West Bank targeted with demolitions. 20 donor-funded structures were demolished or seized, and four others reportedly stolen by settlers.
May saw the lowest number of demolitions in a single month in about 18 months. Three communities temporarily displaced by military trainings in the Jordan Valley. Three donated structures were demolished or seized.
In April, 71 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized, displacing 75 people and affecting the livelihoods of over 300 others. This month’s total is the highest number of structures demolished in a single month in more than two years.
All but four of the structures were demolished due to the lack of building permits, which are virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain, due to the restrictive planning regime applied by Israel in Area C and in East Jerusalem.
In March, 45 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized, displacing 77 people and affecting at least 5,000 others. The total to the end of March shows an increase of 42 per cent in demolitions, and 115 per cent in the number of people displaced, compared to the same quarter in 2018. Of all the structures demolished/seized in the first quarter of 2019, 41 per cent were residences, 38 per cent livelihoodrelated and seven per cent water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). On a monthly average, the number of structures demolished so far in 2019 (46) is above the average rate in 2018 and 2017 (38 and 35 per month, respectively). All but one of the structures were demolished due to the lack of building permits, which are virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain, due to the restrictive planning regime applied by Israel in Area C and in East Jerusalem.
In February, 53 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized, constituting a 40 per cent increase compared with the monthly average recorded in 2018 (38). The number of people displaced in February was more than double the monthly average in 2018 (105 vs. 39). In addition, thousands of people were affected by the demolition of parts of water distribution systems in three different areas. All the structures were demolished on the grounds of a lack of Israeli-issued permits, which are nearly impossible to obtain.
