Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center- SHAMS, had released its August 2023, monthly documentation report, about the crimes of demolishing, confiscation, and notifications with demolishing orders, by the Israeli Occupation against Palestinian establishments. The Israeli occupation usually targets various Palestinian establishments, including religious, commercial, industrial, agricultural, educational, or official establishments. However, the focus is on the residential establishments. Targeting the Palestinian establishments deprives Palestinians of utilizing their own assets. SHAMS Center issues periodical documentation reports (monthly, semi-annually, and annually) about these violations and other violations committed by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.
The report is based on field documentation methodology through the team members and field researchers working for the Center. The current report details the documented violations during the period 1- 31/8/2023 in the various governorates of the West Bank. The collected data was analyzed and processed to be released in easily read tables against qualitative and quantitative indicators. During the current month, the Israeli authorities targeted 136 Palestinian establishments through demolishing, confiscation, or notification with demolishing orders to be targeted in the near future.
The majority of the violations, during this month, was demolishing, where 30 establishments had been demolished. 5 establishments were within the policy of self-demolishing (to avoid paying high financial fines or being detained in case the owners do not pay). The demolished establishments were under the claim to be unlicensed buildings. One of the demolished establishments is owned by a woman. The Israeli authorities demolished stone terraces in three- Donum piece of land in Soba village- Hebron, owned by a lady named Maram Munjed Al-Iweiwi, under the claim of an unlicensed building.
As for the notifications, the Israeli authorities notified the owners of (103) establishments with demolishing orders or orders to stop construction, including houses, commercial establishments, retaining walls, and agricultural pergolas.
Regarding confiscated establishments, the Israeli authorities confiscated 3 establishments (two mobile caravans and one health unit).
The first indicator within the report reflects the types of targeted establishments (demolished, notified, or confiscated). As for the demolished establishments, they were: houses (12), residential rooms (1), residential barracks (2), agricultural barracks (1), agricultural rooms (2), retaining walls (1), commercial establishments (3), car washing (1), mobile caravans (1), stone terraces (4), school (1), and public garden (1).
The notified establishments included: houses (75), agricultural pergolas (2), water wells (10, retaining walls (4), commercial establishments (20), Livestock barracks/ sheds (1), and infiltration pit (1).
The confiscated establishments included residential caravan (1), mobile caravan (1), and health unit (1).
The second indicator reflects the geographical distribution of the targeted establishments where the majority was in Jerusalem (13) while there were (5) in Hebron, which ranked the second position.
Regarding the notifications (demolishing, stopping constructing, evacuating, or confiscating), which deprive Palestinians of utilizing their assets, the majority was in Jerusalem (31), while in the second position, Jericho and Jordan Valley ranked (22). Revising the notifications will help to predict the future targeting of the Palestinian establishments.
The confiscated establishments were in Hebron and Toubas Governorates.
The third indicator reflects the affected population, as all the targeted establishments are owned by Palestinians. During August 21 Palestinians, including (3) women and (7) children were affected by the Israeli violations.
Regarding the claims proposed by the occupation authorities to legalize the crimes against the Palestinian establishments, 28 demolished establishments (out of 30) were under the claim of an unlicensed building in areas classified as (C). One establishment was demolished within the policy of collective punishment applied by the Occupation authorities against Palestinians involved in resisting the occupation. One establishment was demolished under the claim of being built on an archeological site.
Regarding the notifications, the owners of (102) establishments were notified of demolishing or stopping construction, under the claim of an unlicensed building in an area classified as (C). The owner of one establishment was notified of a demolition order as part of the policy of collective punishment against Palestinians involved in resisting the occupation.
The three confiscated establishments were under the claim of an unlicensed building.
Regarding self-demolishing, which stands as a form of structured oppression, where Jerusalemites are forced to demolish their establishments on their own, 5 establishments were demolished within this policy, during the current month. Jerusalemites are forced either to demolish the establishments on their own or pay the high costs of demolishing, in case was done by the Israeli authorities. Palestinian Jerusalemites find no solution where they either pay the costs as determined by the Israeli authorities, or the owner might be arrested till he/ she pays. Self-demolishing is a war crime where victims are forced to take part in the crimes committed against themselves. The various Israeli institutions are involved in committing such crimes against Palestinians, including the judiciary authority and the police. The five demolished establishments (self-demolishing) were under the claim of unlicensed buildings.
While raiding Palestinian towns, cities, refugee camps, and other localities, the Israeli authorities usually demolish or destroy Palestinians’ houses, establishments, or infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage networks, and streets). On August 15, the Israeli authorities exploded an apartment, in Balata Refugee Camp, owned by Abdullah Shallal and used as a headquarters for Fateh Movement. The apartment was exploded during a raid on the refugee camp. On 16/8/2023, during a raid on Jenin City, the Israeli forces demolished partially, the house of Akram Qubaj Astouni and another house close to it.
Within the policy of displacing Palestinians, the Israeli authorities (on Sunday, 6/8/2023) obligated 6 families to evict their residential establishments in Qabboun Bedwin Gathering, close to Kufur Malek Village, to the east of Ramallah City. The families had been subject to ongoing threats by Israeli soldiers and illegal settlers and had no choice but to leave. The six evicted families consisted of 36 members (From Caabna Family) who were evicted from their land in the year 1948 (During Nakba).