NAQAB, October 19, 2026 (WAFA) — On Monday, Israeli authorities demolished three homes in the village of Umm Numaila—also known as Arab al-Ziyadna—as well as other structures in the village of Abu Quraynat. Both villages are unrecognized by the state and are located northeast of the city of Rahat in the Negev.
These demolitions in Umm Numaila and Abu Quraynat occur amidst an escalation in the destruction of homes and structures within Arab villages in the Negev. The situation has raised deep concerns among residents regarding the fate of their homes and property, as Israeli policies continue to target Arab-owned buildings under the pretext that they were constructed without permits.
Yesterday, in the village of Abu Quraynat, residents carried out "self-demolitions"—burning what remained of their own homes and structures—in an attempt to preempt demolition by Israeli bulldozers and avoid heavy financial penalties, which can reach as much as 60,000 shekels.
A significant portion of these demolitions is concentrated in unrecognized Arab villages. Residents there frequently face demolition orders on the grounds of building without permits; however, this occurs in a context where the state refuses to recognize these villages and fails to provide the planning schemes necessary to legalize construction.
According to various reports, tens of thousands of Arab citizens in the Negev live in unrecognized villages, where they endure harsh conditions regarding housing, infrastructure, and public services.
The policy of home demolition is not limited to the Negev; Arab towns and localities across the country face a chronic crisis regarding urban planning and housing.
K.T
