Israel's Land Authority and Police Demolish Illegal Structures in Lakiya Following Court Orders

On Monday, the Israel Land Authority and the police completed the demolition of three illegal compounds in the Lakiya area of the Negev. These compounds, which included several buildings and animal enclosures, were constructed unlawfully on state land. The eviction was carried out following legal proceedings against 52 defendants from the Al-Asad family, who had occupied the land since 2021. Court rulings issued in 2022 mandated the evacuation of the land, and after all appeals to the District and Supreme Courts were rejected, enforcement actions began in 2025.

The Israel Land Authority stated that over the years, the families were offered regulated housing solutions in Lakiya’s Neighborhood 2, but they declined these offers. Prior to the enforcement operation, most of the structures were voluntarily evacuated and demolished by the residents. The remaining buildings and enclosures were dismantled by land protection inspectors accompanied by police forces to secure the operation. The authority emphasized that the goal of the operation was to restore the land to its designated public use and enforce judicial decisions.

Shira Tam, head of the Land Protection Division at the Israel Land Authority, said, "Implementing the court ruling and returning the land to the state is a direct result of our commitment to protecting public land according to the law and court decisions. Even after prolonged legal processes and alternative housing offers, our inspectors continue to act with all available means against illegal invasions and construction across the country."