Israeli Occupation Forces demolish six residences in Um Al-Kheir hamlet

• Violation: demolition of six residences
• Location:  Yatta town- Hebron governorate
• Date:  April 06, 2016
• Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces
• Victims: six Hadhaleen families

Details:

 Israeli Occupation Forces demolished on April 06, 2016 six residences in Yatta hamlet of Um Al-Kheir on the claim of "unlicensed construction".

Residents of the area asserted that a massive force from the occupation army, ten military vehicles and two dozers broke into Um AL-Kheir at six in the morning and closed the main entrance of the hamlet. Soldiers deployed in the area and between houses. After evicting people from the targeted house, accompanying workers to the force cut the electricity off of house, threw some of interiors out and dozers then carried out the demolition.

It should be marked that demolition reached out six residences (metal slaps), three of which were gifted by GVC organization after being previously demolished. The operation rendered 32 people including 7 children homeless.

The following table shows information about the affected owners:

Source : Field observation- Department of Monitoring Israeli Violations- Land Research Center-2016

Sings of demolition operation with a view of Karmeil colony founded in the area

Affected residents asserted that Israeli occupation authorities served them stop-work orders on their structures in 2015. People applied for building permits in Planning and Construction Committee- Israel Civil Administration and hired attorney to object to the order in Israeli court. For further information, please read the following report issued by Land Research Center (Link).

Location of previously demolished structures

It should be marked that Karmeil colony is founded on confiscated lands from Um-Al-Kheir area; more specifically on lands belonging to Al-Hadhaleen family.

Khirbet Um Al-Kheir has always been a constant target for Israeli Occupation Forces. Most of the area's structures are notified of either stop-work or demolition orders. This is to force people move out the area so that the occupation takes it over.

Land Research Center sees houses and properties demolition a clear-cut violation of all international conventions and laws:

 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

 Article 1 states: " All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Article 17: " (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property."

The 1907 the Hague Convention

 Article 23: " In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden

g.  To destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war;"

The Geneva Fourth convention

 article 53: "  Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations."

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights:

Article 11.1 states: "The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent".

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC