Israel seizes 70 Palestine homes in occupied West Bank

Israeli occupying authorities have started plans to confiscate at least 70 Palestinian homes in the occupied southern West Bank.

Imad Hamdan, Director of the al-Khalil Construction Committee, a Palestinian government body, said on Sunday that the Israeli authorities plan to hand over the Palestinian homes to Israeli settlers in the Old City of the governorate of al-Khalil.

"The Israeli raid of Nasreddine Building is the start of the implementation of the Israeli plan," Hamdan added.

At the same time, Hamdan stressed that the Palestinians "are the genuine owners of these homes and shops." The official reiterated that Palestinian ownership of these buildings is protected by local and international laws, which prevent forced expulsion.

Meanwhile, Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist in al-Khalil strongly criticized the committee's "weak response" to the Israeli plans.  

"The start of the implementation of the Israeli plan, disclosed early this year, sounds a dangerous alarm." He said. "The forced expulsion of Palestinians out of Nasreddine Building, which is located in the most sensitive places in the Old City, is not an incident to pass without any official action."

Amro charged the committee with coordinating the theft of Palestinian property with the Israeli occupying authorities.

The activist condemned the silence of the committee over the demolition of six Palestinian shops by Israeli settlers in the heart of the city a couple of days ago, stating that the committee is able to do much more for the protection of Palestinian property in the city.

Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds, claiming that the structures have been built without permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. They also sometimes order Palestinian owners to demolish their own houses or pay the costs of the demolition.

ME