Jerusalem: Israeli authorities distributed 40 demolition and stop-work orders in the Wadi al-Hummus neighborhood, southeast of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Governorate reported that these notices were distributed over the past two days, marking what it described as a dangerous and deliberate escalation that aligns with a systematic policy aimed at uprooting Palestinians from their land.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israeli authorities delivered 30 demolition orders for buildings located outside the separation wall, even though these structures are situated in Area A and have official Palestinian permits. Additionally, four more demolition orders were issued today inside the wall in Areas A and B, along with six stop-work orders in Area C.
The Governorate stressed that this escalation is part of Israel's strategy to seize control over key areas in Wadi al-Hummus, a region covering 4,500 dunams. Although Israeli authorities have already taken control of 2,000 dunams within the wall, the remaining areas are still outside their direct jurisdiction.
Israel has also established a 250-meter-deep buffer zone on both sides of the wall, designating it as a "buffer zone." This designation is used as justification for issuing demolition orders and legitimizing the demolition of Palestinian homes. The occupation bases these actions on a military order initially issued in 2011 and reactivated in 2015, providing a legal framework for ongoing demolitions and evictions.
