HEBRON, Wednesday, June 03, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli  forces  today  tore down several residential structures and tents in Masafer Yatta in the southern Hebron hills, said two local watchdogs.

Coordinator of the Anti-Wall & Settlement Committees in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour confirmed that an Israeli military force escorted a bulldozer to Khirbet al-Mafqara community, where the heavy machinery tore down a tin-and-brick house besides to a tent, purportedly for being built without a permit.

The structure owner was identified as Ahamd Hamamra, who together with his family are now homeless, added Jabour.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the local Protection Committees Fuad al-‘Amur said that Israeli troops tore down three tin-sheet structures in al-Marekz community besides to a tent in al-Fakhit community.

Soldiers also stormed Maghayer al-Abeed community, where they destroyed another tin-sheet structure.

Khirbet al-Mafqara, al-Markez and al-Fakhit are three of the Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta,  a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living - livestock.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since 1980s and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.

K.F.