The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the Israeli authorities demolished or confiscated a total of 52 buildings owned by Palestinians during the past two weeks.
In the "Protection of Civilians" report covering the period November 24-December 7, 2020, the office stated that a total of 52 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized due to a lack of Israeli-issued building permits, displacing 67 people and otherwise affecting about 860. Of the targeted structures, 49 were in Area C and three in East Jerusalem.
The report pointed out that on 25 November, Israeli authorities demolished ten structures, including about four kilometres of water pipes provided as humanitarian assistance, in seven communities in the Massafer Yatta area of southern Hebron; most of this area is designated closed for military training, placing its 1,400 residents at risk of a forcible transfer.
Meanwhile, the demolition of 13 structures during this period was carried out on the basis of Military Order 1797, which allows for demolitions within 96 hours of the issuance of a ‘removal order.’ Two of the three residential structures demolished in East Jerusalem were carried out by the owners to avoid additional fines and charges.
Israeli forces also carried out 182 search-and-arrest operations and arrested 149 Palestinians across the West Bank. The largest number of operations was recorded in the governorates of Jerusalem (52) and Hebron (46).
Overall, 206 Palestinians, including ten children, and six Israeli soldiers were injured in multiple clashes across the West Bank. Of those, 148 were hit in protests against settlement activities in Salfit, in Ein as Samiya and Al Mughayyir (both in Ramallah), Beit Dajan (Nablus), and Kafr Qaddum (Qalqiliya).
Two Palestinians were injured near Qalqiliya and at least 300 Palestinian-owned trees and other properties were damaged by perpetrators believed to be Israeli settlers.
The vandalized trees include 150 grape vines and about 140 olive trees and saplings in the villages of Turmus’ayya (Ramallah), As Sawiya (Nablus), and Kafr ad Dik, Bruqin, Yasuf, and Haris in Salfit.
On at least 18 occasions, Israeli forces opened fire near Israel’s perimeter fence with Gaza, and off its coast, apparently to enforce access restrictions. No injuries were recorded.