Israel demolishes 18 Palestinian homes northeast of Jerusalem and in northern Jordan Valley

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, revealed in its weekly report, that Israeli authorities demolished or confiscated 18 structures in six Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem and Area C, displacing 54 people, including 29 children and affecting the livelihoods of more than 46 others. 

Eight of the targeted structures, including residential shelters, latrines and a water cistern, had been provided as humanitarian assistance in response to previous demolitions, the Palestinian News Network quoted the report covering the period between 18 – 31 October 2016.

This brings the total number of assistance items destroyed or confiscated since the beginning of 2016 to 273, up more than 150 per cent compared to all of 2015.

According to the report, Israeli forces conducted, on five separate occasions, military training exercises in the northern Jordan Valley, in the vicinity of three herding communities (Humsa al Bqai’a, Tell al Khashabeh and Lifjim).

While these incidents resulted in no displacement, damage to structures and access restrictions to grazing areas were reported, affecting 15 families.

During the reported period, Israeli forces conducted 196 search and arrest operations and arrested 234 Palestinians in the West Bank.

Also, in Jerusalem, the Israeli police banned 15 Palestinians from entering the al Aqsa Mosque for periods ranging between two weeks and three months.

Source: MENA