Nablus: Israeli forces have issued a demolition notice against a residential building near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, according to local sources. On Wednesday evening, the Khammash family received a notice informing them of the impending demolition of their five-floor building located atop Mount Gerizim.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the demolition is part of a long-standing practice by Israel aimed at achieving 'demographic control' in the occupied territories. This approach has involved the denial of planning permits for Palestinians to build or extend existing structures on their own land, particularly in Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli military rule. As a result, many residents are forced to build without permits to provide housing for their families.
Since the onset of the Israeli aggression on Gaza in October 2023, the frequency of demolitions has increased significantly. These actions are overseen by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds authority over West Bank affairs. Demolitions have surged from 29 to 265 structures between 2023 and 2024, affecting areas including those under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction and joint security control between the PA and Israel.
Israeli courts often issue demolition orders on the grounds of lacking building permits, maintaining a legal framework for these actions despite the impact on Palestinian families. Meanwhile, Israel supports the growth of colonies by providing building permits to over 700,000 Jewish Israeli colonists, along with essential infrastructure, which remains unavailable to many Palestinians.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA
