The occupation demolishes dozens of homes in the Negev and Ben Gvir threatens more | News

Today, Wednesday, the Israeli occupation authorities demolished dozens of homes in the Negev region under the pretext of building without a permit, and the police attacked Palestinians and Arab representatives in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) while they were trying to stop the demolition operations.

The occupation authorities, accompanied by military vehicles and bulldozers, headed to demolish the homes of residents of the Umm Butin community in the Negev, and sent reinforcements to the area to begin carrying out the demolition operations, which affected about 50 homes.

The Israeli authorities begin demolishing dozens of Arab homes in the Negev, under the pretext of building without a permit, and the occupation police assault Palestinians while trying to confront the demolition operations. pic.twitter.com/4en8f3RpYB

– Tel Aviv Tribune Channel (@AJArabic) May 8, 2024

Anatolia quoted Jumaa Al-Zabarqa, a member of the Supreme Guidance Committee for the Arabs of the Negev, as saying that the demolition affected 47 houses belonging to the Abu Asa family, despite the fact that they have lived in these houses for decades, noting that each house is inhabited by between 9 and 10 people, which means that about 500 people are left homeless. Shelter.

Al-Zabarqa added, “After a long struggle in the courts to prevent the demolition, the Israeli courts gave the green light for the demolition process without providing an alternative to the residents,” pointing out that 120,000 Palestinian citizens – in 34 villages “robbed of recognition” by the occupation authorities – are threatened with losing their homes due to Israeli policies.

Bin Ghafir

For his part, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the authorities’ demolition of dozens of homes in the Negev – under police protection – as an “important step.”

Ben Gvir said – in a post on the X platform – that the police will pursue those who “try to steal the land and impose a new reality,” indicating that they will continue the policy of demolition of what he described as illegal homes.

The minister boasted of his role in this regard, saying, “As I promised since the first day of assuming office in late 2022, there is a significant increase in the demolition of illegal homes in the Negev, and I am proud to lead this policy.”

According to a previous report by the Zochrot organization, which includes Israeli activists, the authorities are working to expel Arab residents from dozens of villages, especially in the Negev, with the aim of controlling their lands, according to what Anatolia reported.

The area of ​​the Negev is about 14 thousand square kilometers, and its nature is predominantly desert, and it is historically inhabited by Arab tribes socially linked to the tribes of Sinai, the Arabian Peninsula, and Jordan.

The demolition of homes in the Negev comes today At a time when Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, leaving tens of thousands martyred and wounded, in addition to the occupation army and settlers escalating their attacks on Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank.