Violation: Demolition of an agriculture room under the pretext of lacking permit

Location: Bruqin town , located to the west of Salfit city

Date: 4 ^th,2 , 2025

Perpetrating Party: The so – called building inspector of the Israeli civil administration

Affected Party: Farmer Atbah Abd al Razaq’’ Ali Ahmad’’

Details:

On the afternoon of Tuesday, February 4^th, 2025, the Israeli occupation army accompanied by the so- called building inspector of the Israeli civil administration, targeted Bruqin town , located to the west of Salfit city. The Israeli occupation using a civilian bulldozer that was with them, began demolition and alteration works, targets an agriculture room made of brick walls and zinc roof with an area of 20 m². In addition to a small water collection well with a capacity of 4 m² was also demolished. 

The targeted agricultural room is located on the main road connecting the towns of Bruqin and kafr ad Dik in the western part of the governorate. It is owned by the farmer Atbah Abd al Razaq

‘Ali Ahmad’, who supports family from 4 members, 2 of them are children, and one of them is female.

According to the statement of the affected farmer, he was surprised by the demolition work that targeted the agricultural room, which was severally damaged. He stated that he had not received any prior notice – as he said-, he told LRC : 

‘’I Own an agricultural plot of land that I inherited from my ancestors. About a year ago, I built an agricultural room in it with the aim of strengthening  my presence on my land in light of the colonizers ‘ attempts to seize it. However , I was shocked to find that the occupation forces completely belongings were targeted and completely destroyed , they left me with nothing.’’

  The field research team has observed that the occupation forces have destroyed several agricultural facilities and rooms in Kafr ad Dik and Bruqin. In addition to demolishing three residential houses since the beginning of this year. This is a clear indicate that the occupation is attempting to depopulate in Area C, turning it into a reserve for the benefit settlement and services.

Legal Commentary :

Land Confiscation Violates International Laws:

What Israel is doing in the occupied Palestinian territories is considered a violation of the Palestinian people's rights and their lands, and a violation of international laws and conventions. The following are the most important texts contained in international laws and treaties that prohibit Israeli settlement in Palestinian territories and prevent interference with civil and public rights and properties in occupied territories, along with relevant United Nations resolutions.

Lahay Convention / 1907:

• Article 46: The occupying power may not confiscate private property.
• Article 55: The occupying power is considered a manager of lands in the occupied country and must treat the country's properties as private property.

Fourth Geneva Convention / 1949:

• Article 49: The occupying power has no right to transfer its citizens to territories it has occupied, or to take any action that leads to demographic change in them.
• Article 53: The occupying forces have no right to destroy individual or collective personal property, or property belonging to individuals, the state, or any authority in the occupied country.
• Article 147: The destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out on a large scale in an unlawful and arbitrary manner is a grave breach.

مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" - GFFO

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of Land Research Center and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project donor; the Norwegian Refugee Council.

إخلاء المسؤولية: الآراء ووجهات النظر الواردة في هذا التقرير هي آراء ووجهات نظر مركز أبحاث الأراضي ولا تعكس بالضرورة وجهات نظر أو مواقف الجهة المانحة للمشروع؛ المجلس النرويجي. للاجئين