Barta'a: Israeli occupation bulldozers on Monday demolished eight homes in the town of Barta'a, southwest of Jenin, including two inhabited residences, as part of an ongoing demolition policy targeting Palestinian homes and properties in the town, according to Mayor of Barta'a, Ghassan Qabaha.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Qabaha stated that six bulldozers, accompanied by military vehicles, entered the town around 11:00 AM. They proceeded to demolish the homes after forcing the owners to evacuate. The demolished structures included two inhabited homes and six under-construction houses. Qabaha noted that the demolition orders issued by the occupation authorities target 20 homes in the town, affecting approximately 20 families totaling more than 100 individuals.
Confrontations erupted during the demolitions as homeowners and local residents gathered on rooftops in an attempt to prevent the bulldozers from carrying out the demolitions. Occupation soldiers fired tear gas canisters to disperse the residents. Qabaha indicated that the Barta'a Municipality had filed an appeal before an Israeli court against the demolition orders; however, the court rejected the appeal and approved the demolition of 14 out of the 20 targeted homes.
The mayor further explained that around 120 homes in the town remain threatened with demolition after their owners received stop-work or evacuation notices. The town of Barta'a is located behind the apartheid annexation and expansion wall and is subjected to abuses by the occupation authorities, including the demolition of homes and facilities under the pretext of unpermitted construction.
Additionally, the occupation authorities impose tight restrictions on the movement of citizens through the Barta'a military checkpoint at the town's entrance, limiting the entry and exit of residents except with special permits, which exacerbates the residents' suffering and restricts their daily lives.