Israel demolishes some 40 illegal Palestinian structures

In the largest string of home demolitions in more than three years, Israel this week demolished nearly 40 illegally built Palestinian structures in the West Bank.

The demolitions took place because the structures were built without the necessary permits. More than 120 people were left homeless from the demolitions, which took place Monday and Tuesday, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.

The structures were located in four Bedouin villages near the West Bank city of Ma’ale Adumim, outside of Jerusalem, as well as in the village of Fasa’il in the Jordan Valley. According to United Nations figures quoted by Haaretz, it was the largest string of demolitions since October 2012.

“These are illegal structures that were built without permits in violation of the law, some of which have been built in recent years,” said a statement from the Israel Defense Forces’ coordinator of government activities in the territories. “The structures were demolished after the enforcement process was completed and the appropriate orders were issued.”

Palestinians living in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli control, often complain that it is near impossible to obtain construction permits, forcing them to build illegally.