The Occupation Demolishes a House in Deir al-'Asal al-Foqa Village, West of Hebron

Violation: Demolition of a citizen's house.
Date of the Violation: February 11, 2026.
Location: Deir al-'Asal al-Foqa Village, Dura Municipality, Hebron Governorate.
Perpetrating Party: Israeli occupation forces.
Affected Party: Citizen Raed Shawamreh.

Details:

On February 11, 2026, the Israeli occupation authorities demolished the house of citizen Raed Yousef Shawamreh, claiming that it had been built in a "no-construction zone" in the village of Deir al-'Asal al-Foqa, west of the town of Dura in the southern Hebron Governorate.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., a force of the Israeli military, accompanied by a Hyundai tracked excavator, entered the village and headed to its western outskirts. Soldiers deployed around the house while the excavator proceeded to demolish it.

The demolished house consisted of a single floor, constructed of stone and reinforced concrete, with an area of approximately 200 square meters. It was in the final stages of finishing and was intended to house a family of six.

Shawamreh's house is located in an area classified as Area B, which falls under Palestinian civil control in accordance with the Oslo Accords. However, the Israeli authorities justified the demolition on the grounds that the house was located approximately 300 meters east of the Separation Wall.

It is worth noting that the Israeli military prohibits construction and urban development in areas adjacent to the Separation Wall, citing "security" reasons. In previous years, numerous homes and structures have been demolished on the same grounds, and in some locations, the restricted zone extends to more than 500 meters from the wall.

Deir al-'Asal al-Foqa Village

Deir al-'Asal al-Foqa is located southwest of the town of Dura in the Hebron Governorate. The village has a predominantly rural character, with extensive agricultural land and olive groves surrounding it. It has a population of approximately 2,000 residents, who primarily depend on agriculture and livestock breeding, in addition to employment in the service sector. The village includes basic educational facilities serving its residents.

The Separation Wall runs along the village's western side, cutting through portions of its lands, while the Israeli colonies of Negohot and an additional pastoral colonies outpost overlook the village from the east.

The demolition of Palestinian homes and structures by the Israeli occupation authorities constitutes a violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as well as an infringement of the right to adequate housing, which is guaranteed under international legal instruments. This is reflected in the following provisions:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December 1948)

Article 17:
"No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property."

Fourth Geneva Convention (1949)

Article 53:
"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."

Hague Regulations (1907)

Article 46:
"Private property must be respected and cannot be confiscated."

Article 55:
"The Occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct."