Land Research Center

Violation: Demolition of residential and agricultural structures .

Location: Al- Burj/ Tubas governorate  .

Date: March, 6^th , 2025.

Perpetrating Party : The so-called Israeli Civil Administration.

Affected Party: Farmer Radi Khalil Al Zawahra.

 Details:

 Thursday morning, March 6, 2025, a large force of the Israeli occupation army, accompanied by demolition staff from the civil administration, raided Al Burj area, which is an extension of al Malih area in the northern Jordan valley, and using a civilian bulldozer, the occupation authorities began demolishing tents and homes belong to citizen Radi Khalil Al Zawahra, who supports a family of 9 members, including 3 females and 1 child, according to the occupation claims, The demolition was on the pretext of building without a license.

The damages included the following:

• 2 Residential tents, each with an area of 45m² .
•  Kitchen tent made of metal sheets and burlap, with an area of 12 m² .
•  Mobile sanitary unit(bathroom).
• 2 Water tanks.
• Solar energy system .

It is worth noting that the family’s homes and structures have previously been subjected to four demolition operations by the occupation between 2011 and 2016, as the occupation seeks to completely displace the residents.

Citizen Radi al Zawahra stated:

Demolition of structures is a real threat to us, especially given the current situation. The occupation forces on one hand, and the settlers on the other, are constantly pursuing us, since a new settlement outpost has been established just 800 meters away from the area. This has become a source of threat to us. It is important to note that this demolition is different from the previous ones, as what is being demolished was seized by the settlers, and immediately after the demolition, they take control of the area, So Palestinian Citizens are being displaced.

It is worth noting that the ‘’al Burj’’ area is a hot spot for Israeli violations, as the community has been destroyed several times over the past years. There are 9 Bedouin families residing in the area, relying on livestock breeding as their primary and only source of income, amidst the escalating colonial assault. All structures in the area have been issued demolition and removal orders, including the school serving the community, which is also under threat of demolition. The residents lead a simple, primitive life and are effectively pursued by the Israeli occupation.

  Legal Commentary:

The actions carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities in demolishing Palestinian homes and structures constitute violations of international and humanitarian law, as well as a breach of the right to adequate housing, a right guaranteed by international law and treaties. This is evident in the following articles:

• Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: "Extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly is considered a grave breach of the Convention."
• Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1948 prohibits the destruction of property, stating: "The occupying power may not destroy private property, whether movable or immovable, belonging to individuals or groups, or to the State or public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, unless such destruction is imperatively demanded by military operations."
• Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention stipulates: "No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed."
• Paragraph 'j' of Article 23 of the Hague Convention of 1907 warns against the destruction of "enemy property or its sequestration, unless such destruction or sequestration is imperatively demanded by the necessities of war."
• Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, dated December 10, 1948, states: "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property."
• These legal provisions highlight the illegality of such actions and reinforce the protection of Palestinian rights to property and housing under international law.

مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" SPERAC IV   - FCDO

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

 show the effects of the demolition in al Burj