For the second time: Occupation authorities target an electricity network in Khallet Taha, west of Hebron
- Violation: a notice to remove an electrical line.
- Violation date: 13/10/2020.
- Location: Khallet Taha – Dura Town / Hebron Governorate.
- Perpetrator: the so-called Israeli Civil Administration.
- Affected people: Citizens of Khallet Taha.
Violation details:
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the Israeli occupation authorities gave a notice to demolish and remove an electricity network, under the pretext of establishing it without a permit in KhalletTaha, west of the town of Dura in the Hebron governorate.
A force of the occupation army raided the area, accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Planning and Building Department of the “Israeli Civil Administration”. The so-called building inspector wrote the notice and attached it to one of the poles, and took picture of it before leaving the place. The notice gave an ultimatum of 96 hours before the actual demolition is carried out.
On 9/23/2020, the occupation authorities demolished a number of facilities and buildings in KhalletTaha, in addition to destroying the electricity network there, which left two inhabited homes without electricity. This action prompted the municipalities of Dura and DeirSamet to re-provide the area with electric power rather than leaving the local community dependent on electric generators.
To carry out the demolition, the occupation authorities took advantage of the military Order number 1797 of 2018, which allows the Israeli Military Commander to summarily destroy Palestinian structures – including those provided as humanitarian assistance – with virtually no legal recourse available to those whose homes, properties and facilities will be destroyed. No access to justice and no protection from grave breaches of IHL.
The aforementioned military order says Palestinians have 96 hours to appeal demolition.
Even if Palestinians fulfill the appeal requirements put in place by military order 1797, Israeli authorities maintain complete authority to proceed with demolition.
Copy of the notice number 20534 demanding the demolition of the electric network
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli occupation forces have targeted KhalletTaha, located in the village of Tabqa in the town of Dura, more than once during the current year 2020. The following are the most prominent attacks that were documented by LRC field research team :
– On September 14, 2020, the occupation authorities issued a notice to demolish and remove buildings and facilities in “KhalletTaha”, west of Tabqa, Hebron Governorate ( see the report in Arabic and English).
– On September 23, 2020, the occupation authorities demolished buildings and facilities in “KhalletTaha”, west of the town of Dura in the Hebron governorate ( see the report in Arabic and English).
