’Israel’ Steps up Razing of Homes, Palestinians Alarmed

Local Editor

The "Israeli" occupation demolished more Palestinian homes in the West Bank in the first six months of 2016 as they did in all of 2015.

This raises a worrying confirmation of the "Israeli" entity's ongoing crackdown on Palestinian communities in Area C of the West Bank.

A report published on Wednesday said that 168 homes were destroyed during the first half of 2016, leaving 740 Palestinians homeless.

In this regard, Secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Organization [PLO] Saeb Erekat on Wednesday condemned the "Israeli" action in the occupied territories, saying the policy is aimed at driving Palestinians from their historical land.

Erekat said "Israel" had displaced more than 30 Palestinian families in East al-Quds and in the West Bank after demolishing their homes in a matter of just 24 hours.

"This crude attack conducted by heavily armed forces against a defenseless people under occupation is a clear demonstration of "Israel's" intention to forcibly displace Palestinians while intensifying the expansion of illegal "Israeli" settlements in occupied Palestine," he added.

He further denounced the international community's inaction, saying this "idleness and silence" "is encouraging "Israel" to continue and escalate its violations against the Palestinians and their property."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team