Israel Steps Up Home Demolitions in West Bank and Gaza

Israeli military forces have expanded home demolitions in Hebron and other areas of the West Bank. Residents report sudden eviction orders in the middle of the night as properties are seized and turned into military outposts. The siege in the Hebron region affects approximately 800,000 people following incidents at checkpoints.

Data from the UN refugee agency shows that nearly 5,000 Palestinians were displaced in just one week. The organization classifies these measures as collective punishment that violates international law. The current scenario reflects a trend of increasing demolitions that began in 2009 and accelerated drastically since 2024.

The construction licensing system imposed by Israeli authorities makes it difficult to legalize properties. Structures without official permits become frequent targets for destruction. In Masafer Yatta, about 400 structures have been torn down over the last 15 years with half of these actions occurring since January 2025.

Previous military operations had already cleared refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem. More than 34,000 people remain displaced after the destruction of half the residential buildings in those locations. UN reports indicate that the monthly average of demolitions in 2024 doubled compared to the previous 15 years.