Israel Demolishes Homes in Yatta, Structures Near Jenin

Israeli forces demolished all homes and structures in the Al-Fakhit area of Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, on Tuesday. Simultaneously, two structures were demolished in the town of Sila al-Harithiya, south of Jenin. These actions are part of escalating Israeli measures targeting areas adjacent to bypass roads.

In Al-Fakhit, Israeli vehicles destroyed tents, homes, and water wells in the northern part of the community, an act described by Masafer Yatta village council head Nidal Younes as an "erasure of the community." The demolitions affected approximately 30 people, including children, and damaged livestock shelters, impacting around 600 sheep and cattle. Younes stated that the demolitions aim to pressure residents into leaving their land, warning of severe humanitarian consequences. This follows a similar large-scale demolition in Khirbet al-Tabban in Masafer Yatta about a week prior.

In Sila al-Harithiya, near Jenin, Israeli forces demolished two structures. The head of the Sila al-Harithiya municipality, Munther Hantouli, reported the demolition of a sheep pen and a structure used for storing scrap metal. These demolitions come after 14 stop-work orders were issued for 12 homes and three structures in Area C, cited as unlicensed construction. Hantouli expressed concern that these actions signal broader demolition plans, especially with ongoing work to expand a bypass road leading to the Homesh and Sanur settlements.

Palestinians fear these demolitions and land seizures are intended to alter the region's character and establish new facts on the ground, particularly near bypass roads and Area C, which is under full Israeli control. These events are part of a wider surge in Israeli actions in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported 2,030 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in August, including 71 demolitions affecting 155 structures.