Israeli Occupation Forces demolish residential and agricultural structures in Tubas

September 28, 2016

• Violation: demolition of structures
• Location:  Khirbet AL-Himma- Tubas governorate
• Date: September 27, 2016
• Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces
• Victims: five Bedouin families  

Details:

 At the early hours of September 27, 2016, a massive force from the Israeli occupation army accompanied by the officer of Planning and Construction Committee- Israel Civil Administration raided Al-Himma hamlet in the northern Palestinian Jordan Valley- Al-Ghoor and implemented a demolition campaign that reached out 24 agricultural and residential structures.

It should be marked that the demolished structures were five residential tents, one residential barrack, two sheep barracks, three tents for sheep, five barns, three mobile toilets, three kitchens and two storage units. As a result, five Bedouin families consisting of 26 members including 9 children were rendered homeless.

It is reported that the demolition came in time with the expansion of Mehola colony that is founded on confiscated lands from the area. Noteworthy, the affected families have been residing the area since 25 years ago; most of the hamlet's inhabitants depend on sheep as main source of income. The residences of such people are primitive and are made of hay and wood. Life conditions are hard to cope with but still inhabitants of the area insist on staying in their lands. The following table shows information about the affected people and properties:

Source : Field observation- Department of Monitoring Israeli Violations- Land Research Center-2016
 

An affected citizen, Mohammad Ayyoub, told Land Research Center the following:

" In 2013, we received stop-work orders on our structures on the claim of unlicensed construction. At time, we started licensing procedures through Jerusalem Center for Legal Proceedings but the occupation court stalled the consideration of our submitted papers until we were surprised of the demolition today, which occurred without us being served a demolition order"

He also added: " We were displaced many times but we insist on staying here".

The Bedouin community of Al-Himma is located 500m away from Bardala village in Tubas. It is inhabited by 76 people, who depend on animals and agriculture as source of living.

Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all of the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including:

1. Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”
2. Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.”
3. Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”
4. Section 1, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966): “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent."

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC