Description

from UN_DWG oPT

Dear colleagues,

We wanted to send you an update on the number of demolitions that took place in January.

In January, Israeli forces demolished 139 Palestinian structures throughout the West Bank, including 59 residential structures and 80 animal shelters and other types of structures. These demolitions forcibly displaced 251 Palestinians, including at least 153 children. Another 239 people, including 123 children, were otherwise affected.

Most of the demolitions (121 structures, or 87%) took place in vulnerable Palestinian communities in Area C, resulting in the displacement of 243 people, including 148 children. At the same time, 18 structures were demolished in East Jerusalem, displacing 8 people and affecting another 149.

These figures represent a significant and very worrying increase in demolitions and displacement compared with previous months. The number of demolitions in January is almost triple the average number of demolitions per month over the last year. In 2012, Israeli authorities demolished on average around 50 Palestinian structures every month, with a spike of 80 in February, 87 in April and 84 in October. With 139 structures demolished, January this year has seen the largest number of demolitions since June 2011, when a similar number (132) structures were demolished.

I am attaching, for your information and ease of reference, the DWG summary table for January, which provides more detail on the specific incidents. A couple of incidents are worth highlighting, including:
In Al Mashru' Bedouin community, east of Jericho city, Israeli authorities on 16 January demolished 11 structures, including 4 residential shelters, displacing 31 people, including 21 children.
In the Hammamat al Maleh area, in the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli authorities on 17 January demolished 46 structures, including 20 residential structures. Two days later, on 19 January, emergency shelters and other assistance provided to the displaced families, was similarly demolished and confiscated. The families have been told that they will be subjected to arrest and confiscation of their livestock if they erect further emergency shelters or try to rebuild their homes. All of the families in the three sub-communities of Al Maleh remain at risk of further demolitions and displacement in the coming weeks and months.
In Khirbet ar Rahwa, in Hebron Governorate, Israeli forces on 21 January demolished 7 structures, including 4 residential shelters, displacing 29 people, including 20 children.
In the Al Jiftlik area, close to Jericho, Israeli forces on 24 January demolished 8 structures, including 5 residential shelters, displacing 33 people, including 20 children.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any comments on the data or require any further information.