Israeli authorities demolished two days ago around 70 Palestinian structures that belong to 11 families in Khirbet Hamsa al-Fuqa, in the northern Jordan Valley.

As a result, the European Union (EU) called on Israel today in a statement to halt all such demolitions, including of EU-funded structures, in particular in light of the humanitarian impact of the current coronavirus pandemic.

Peter Stano, the EU spokesman, confirmed in the statement that "the Israeli forces demolished this week more than 70 structures, including residential, livelihood and sanitation facilities, belonging to 11 Palestinian families with 41 children in Khirbet Hamsa al-Foqa, in the northern Jordan Valley."

"This large-scale demolition confirms once again the regrettable trend of confiscations and demolitions since the beginning of the year," the statement underlined.

"This comes on top of the threat of demolition of the Palestinian school in the Ras Al-Teen community in the central West Bank, which has been co-funded by the EU and several EU Member States," Stano underscored, pointing out that there are currently 52 Palestinian schools under threat of demolition.

"As reiterated in previous EU Council Conclusions, the EU calls for the protection of children, including ensuring their right to education in a safe and secure school environment. Education is a basic human right that should be protected and maintained," he followed. "Such developments constitute an impediment towards the two-state solution."