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According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli authorities notified seven families in the Palestinian village of Umm al Khair yesterday that their houses will be demolished because they lack Israeli-issued building permits. 60 people will be left homeless.

Umm al Khair is located in the West Bank's South Hebron Hills, next to the illegal Israeli settlement Karmel. Because it falls into Area C, which is under Israeli control, residents face severe restrictions on water access, freedom of movement, and building. In general, the Israeli Civil Administration does not issue building permits for Palestinians, leaving villages unable to expand for natural growth. Israeli forces frequently demolish existing structures, including those that were built prior to Israel's 1948 founding, under the claim that buildings lack Israeli-issued permits.


2011 saw a sharp rise in Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, causing alarm among human rights organizations and the United Nations.