West Bank demolitions lead to surge in displaced children

West Bank demolitions lead to surge in displaced children

Author: Wed, 2021-02-03 12:14

LONDON: Over 840 structures in the West Bank have been demolished by Israeli authorities since the start of 2020, displacing more than 500 Palestinian children “” a four-year high “” according to Save the Children.

"The demolitions have disrupted every aspect of children's lives,“ said the charity. "Their homes have been razed to the ground; vital infrastructure such as water and sanitation facilities have been destroyed; and schools are under a constant threat of demolition.“

In April, Israeli officials told journalists that demolitions in Area C of the West Bank would halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. But despite this promise, demolitions continued.

A similar announcement was made on Oct. 1, when Israeli officials claimed that they would pause the tearing down of buildings in East Jerusalem. But in November, they demolished a home belonging to a family of five.

Beyond agricultural infrastructure and housing, the Israeli Civil Administration has also put schools in its sights.

The Umm Qussa school in Hebron was recently given 97 hours to appeal against destruction. Its future remains uncertain.

"The ongoing demolitions are making children and their families homeless, and they're leaving vital infrastructure in the West Bank in shambles,“ Jason Lee, Save the Children's country director in