RAMALLAH, May 19, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities demolished 16 homes in the unrecognized village of al-Sarra, in the Negev desert in the 1948 territories, on Monday.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed to the area, surrounding the homes and preventing residents from approaching the site of the demolition.

Suleiman al-Hawashla, Director General of the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages, said, "The demolitions come after the Beersheba Court's decision last Thursday to demolish the village's homes and evacuate its residents."

Al-Hawashla added to Arab48 that "the demolitions today target at least 16 homes, while some residents had previously demolished their homes themselves."

He pointed out that "approximately 1,500 residents of the al-Azazmeh tribe live in the village, and the village lacks any infrastructure, including roads, water, electricity, and sewage networks, schools, medical facilities, and more."

Al-Hawashleh continued, "The demolitions are part of the forced displacement policies practiced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinians in the 1948 territories, particularly the Negev. At the same time, plans are being announced to establish new settlements in the area."

Sources from the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages reported that "over the next two weeks, more than 200 homes are expected to be demolished in the village of al-Sarra, meaning the complete demolition of the village and the uprooting and displacement of its residents."

Y.S