Fresh demolitions in West Bank as Israel expands settlement powers

Israeli forces demolished and damaged several Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, as demolition operations continue to expand across the territory following new Israeli cabinet measures easing illegal Jewish settler land seizure.

In the Al-Bustan neighbourhood of Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the area and demolished walls and fences surrounding several homes, according to local sources and the Wadi Hilwah Information Centre.

Among the demolished properties was the home of Palestinian activist Fakhri Abu Diab, who said Israeli forces had stormed the area with large numbers of police, municipal staff and bulldozers.

"It was a very intense operation," Abu Diab told The New Arab. "They destroyed the walls and fences of homes belonging to six Palestinian families."

Two Palestinians were detained during the raid, and four others were injured, according to local reports.

Israeli authorities typically justify demolitions by citing a lack of building permits, particularly in areas under full Israeli control.

Palestinians and rights groups say such permits are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain, making demolitions a key tool in reshaping demographics in favour of Israeli settlers.

Abu Diab said 37 homes have been demolished in the area since 7 October, while others have received demolition or evacuation notices. He said that parts of Al-Bustan would be converted into parks, gardens and parking areas under municipal plans for Jewish settlers' use.

"Our very existence in this area is what is being targeted," Abu Diab says. "The places where our homes stand, where our bedrooms are, will become car parks or a park."

"This is part of a broader plan to impose sovereignty, dominance, and control over East Jerusalem through the use of force. The goal is to empty this city."

The demolitions in Jerusalem coincided with a series of operations across Hebron governorate in the southern West Bank.

In the Wadi al-Qarashiya area of Yatta, Israeli forces demolished residential barracks and sheep pens belonging to the al-Hamadin family, according to local residents. Three residential barracks were destroyed and a tent confiscated, leaving around 30 people, including women and children, without shelter.

Ibrahim al-Hamadin said Israeli bulldozers also ran over two sheep during the operation.

In Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, Israeli forces demolished a home belonging to Bassam Muneer and destroyed water wells in nearby agricultural areas, according to local officials. In Beit Awa, south of Hebron, a 170-square-metre home was demolished despite the area being classified as Area B under the Oslo Accords, where civil administration falls under the Palestinian Authority.

Additional demolitions were reported in Deir al-Asal and Dura.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed that four Palestinians were injured during demolition operations in Silwan.

According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israel has carried out 1,014 demolitions across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 2023. These operations have affected 3,679 structures, including 1,288 inhabited homes.

The demolitions come days after Israel's Security Cabinet approved controversial measures allowing Jews to purchase land in the West Bank and repealed Jordanian-era laws governing land ownership in a bid to expand the Judaization of the Palestinian territory. 

The decisions also extend Israeli administrative authority into areas previously under Palestinian civil control.

Palestinian officials and rights groups say the measures pave the way for expanded settlement activity and further collective displacement of Palestinian residents.

Israel has intensified military operations in the West Bank since launching its war on Gaza in October 2023.

According to Palestinian figures, at least 1,112 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank during that period, more than 11,500 wounded, and over 21,000 detained.

In July last year, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and calling for the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.