Bethlehem: Israeli occupation forces today began demolishing three Palestinian homes in the town of Nahalin and the village of al-Minya, west and southeast of Bethlehem.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, local sources reported that Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and bulldozers, stormed the area of 'Qarnat al-Da'mas' in Nahalin. They commenced the demolition of two inhabited two-story homes belonging to residents Ahmad Mohammad Najajreh and Mohammad Yousef Awad, citing a lack of building permits as the reason for the action.
The sources indicated that the two homes had been evacuated a week prior after their owners received demolition notices. They further stated that these demolitions are part of a broader Israeli decision targeting 14 homes and structures in several areas of Nahalin, with some demolitions already executed by Israeli forces.
In the village of al-Minya, southeast of Bethlehem, Israeli forces began demolishing the home of elderly resident Abd Rabbo Mahmoud Kawazbeh. This followed a raid on the village, with forces deploying in the area of 'Khalayel al-Qas' east of the village. Al-Minya village council head Ahmad Kawazbeh informed WAFA that Israeli forces compelled Kawazbeh to evacuate his one-story home, approximately 150 square meters in size, before initiating the demolition.
He also noted that Israeli forces sealed off the area entirely and used tear gas and stun grenades, resulting in several residents experiencing suffocation due to the measures employed.
According to local reports, Israeli authorities conducted 80 demolition operations in July, targeting 165 structures. This included 80 inhabited homes, eight uninhabited homes, 63 agricultural structures, and 11 sources of livelihood. The demolitions were primarily focused in the governorates of Qalqiliya, where 34 structures were affected, Hebron with 26, Ramallah and al-Bireh with 22, and Bethlehem with 16, among others.