Funded by EU: Israeli Occupation Forces demolish five residences in Um Al-Kheir hamlet

• Violation: demolition of five residences
• Location:  Yatta town- Hebron governorate
• Date:  August 09, 2016
• Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces
• Victims: residents of Um Al-Kheir  

Details:

 Israeli Occupation Forces demolished on August 09, 2016 five 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 and two dozers broke into Um AL-Kheir at early hours of morning and demolished five residences relative to citizens from the area.

Photos 1-6: views from the demolition operation

It should be marked that the demolished residences were gifted by EU  for the affected residents who got their structures demolished on April 06, 2014. The demolished structures were reported made of metal slaps and totaled around 30-40²  in area. The following table shows information about the affected owners:

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

Affected residents asserted that Israeli occupation authorities served them stop-work orders on their structures on June 29, 2016. 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