JERUSALEM, July 6, 2018 (WAFA) – The UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Jamie McGoldrick; the Head of West Bank Operations for UNRWA, Scott Anderson; and the Head of the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, James Heenan, expressed serious concern late Thursday evening over Israeli demolitions and related events in vulnerable Palestinian communities in the central West Bank.

“What we are seeing unfold on the ground is deeply disturbing,” said McGoldrick. “Demolitions have a devastating impact on families and on communities. These demolitions are particularly outrageous because they target communities who already live in extremely difficult conditions, with high levels of humanitarian needs. I call again on the Israeli authorities to cease demolitions and other measures that may result in the forcible transfer of Palestinians.”

“The escalation of events in the last few days – the demolitions in Abu Nuwar, the declaration of the Khan al Ahmar community as a closed military zone, the violence and large presence of armed Israeli forces – makes life in these communities virtually untenable. The latest developments are of serious concern as it is evident that they are undertaken with the objective of relocating the concerned communities, as well as causing serious distress to the vulnerable residents who are watching what appear to be preparations for the demolition of their community,” said Scott Anderson.

“These pastoral communities are mostly Palestine refugees – originally displaced from their tribal lands in the Negev. They should not be forced to experience a second displacement against their will.”

“The demolitions in the community will have serious human rights and humanitarian law consequences,” said Heenan. “There is high risk of forced evictions of individuals, destruction of private property as well as a dramatic increase in the coercive environment under which the community already lives, in turn raising the risk of forcible transfer.”

Yesterday, Israeli forces began leveling access routes in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan al Ahmar, home to more than 180 people, 95 per cent of whom are Palestine refugees.

The work comes in advance of the expected demolition of the entire community. Israeli forces injured thirty-five Palestinians and arrested others, including residents, in confrontations that ensued while bulldozers were leveling all entry and exit points.

M.N