JERICHO, Israeli occupation authorities today razed two Palestinian dwellings in al-Jiftlik village, north of the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, according to a human rights activist.
Thaer Nujum said that a sizable army force escorted a bulldozer in the village, where the heavy machinery knocked down two dwellings belonging to Ahmad Abu Falah, currently held in Israeli imprisonment, and Abu Su‘oud Ka‘abneh.
He pointed that the demolition was carried out four months after the Abu Falah and Ka‘abneh received demolition orders.
Horizontally located 33 kilometers to the north of Jericho, al-Jiftlik has a population of some 5,500, who predominantly depend on agriculture and livestock for their main source of livelihood. The village occupies a total area of 185,032 dunums.
The Israeli occupation authorities maintain full control over the village, classified as Area C, and has allowed the villagers to build within a small pocket of 972 dunams, which accounts for 0.5 percent of the total village area.
Israel has severely restricted Palestinian access to water in the area, particularly the 23 underground wells used for agriculture. Local water springs are susceptible to dryness and depletion as a result of Israel’s control over water.
Israel has seized at least some 6,750 dunams belonging to the village for the construction of seven nearby colonial settlements, 4,550 dunums for the construction of a military base, besides to more land for opening settler-only by-pass Roads No. 90, 50, 505 and 508, and constructing colonial outposts, pushing the villagers into a crowded enclave, a ghetto, surrounded by walls, settlements and military installations.
Source: Palestine News & Info Agency