The following is a statement by Lynn Hastings, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations Office for the Coordination Humanitarian Affairs for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
Yesterday, I visited the community of Humsa – Al Baqai’a which is situated some hundreds of metres into a firing zone in the Northern West Bank. In accordance with Israel’s domestic legal process, the homes and belongings of the families living there were demolished or confiscated five times by the Israeli authorities since the beginning of February.
Tents, food, water tanks and fodder for their livestock have all been confiscated despite repeated calls by the international community for these actions to stop in accordance with international law. As we have noted previously, situations where communities are put under pressure to move raises a real risk of forcible transfer.
Although the Humsa – Al Baqai’a community has exhausted its recourse through the domestic legal process, in accordance with international law, the Israeli authorities should immediately halt all further demolitions of Palestinian homes and possessions, allow the humanitarian community to provide shelter, food and water to this most vulnerable group and these people to remain in their homes.
Background information
Periodical Flash Updates on Humsa – Al Bqai’a
UN statement on Humsa – Al Bqai’a (5 February 2021)
UN/NGOs statement on Humsa – Al Bqai’a (5 November 2020)
Comprehensive data on demolitions and displacement in the West Bank
