The Ma’an News Agency reports that Israel demolished 5 wells in Hebron area on Tuesday morning.According to Ma’an, the wells belonged to the al-Jamal family and were located in the south of the city. Soldiers from the Israeli ‘Civil Administration’ arrived on the property early in the morning and assaulted members of the family who tried to stop the demolition going ahead. Tear gas was deployed to force family members from the area.
The five wells were destroyed and filled in, rendering them unusable. The Israeli forces claim that they were ‘constructed without a license.’ So far no comments have been made by the Civil Administration, although a military spokesperson confirmed that ‘riot dispersal mechanisms’ had been used.
Destruction of property by an occupying power is strictly illegal under article 53 of the 4th Geneva convention, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.
