Israel demolishes school, houses in West Bank

The Israeli authorities on Monday demolished a school and five houses and razed some agricultural land in the West Bank, reported Xinhua, quoting Palestinian sources.

The Israeli forces stormed Khillet Amira, part of the "Khillet al-Mai" municipality, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, and demolished the Khillet Amira Mixed Elementary School, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The 330-square-meter school, attended by 70 students from the first to the fifth grade, was built at the expense of the local residents and European institutions, according to the statement.

The statement noted that the school had been attacked several times by settlers who vandalized its contents in an attempt to pressure the residents to leave the area.

According to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, 57 schools in the West Bank have been stormed and vandalized by Israeli forces and settlers since Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli forces also demolished three houses, razed lands, health units, and water tanks, and uprooted trees in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.

Osama Mokhamara, an anti-settlement activist, told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed Khirbet Aqwees in Masafer Yatta, and demolished a one-story house of 100 square meters, inhabited by 12 people.

He added that the forces also demolished two houses in the village of Shaab al-Batim in Masafer Yatta, each measuring 60 square meters and inhabited by 14 people.

He considered that the demolition of houses and land razing by the Israeli forces in Masafer Yatta aimed to displace residents and expand the settlements established on their lands south of Hebron.

In Tulkarm, Israeli forces demolished two houses and razed agricultural greenhouses north of the city, according to Palestinian sources.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli side regarding the demolitions.

Israeli authorities usually say they demolish or confiscate Palestinian buildings that do not obtain necessary licenses, while the Palestinian side considers that such moves are aimed at expanding Israeli settlements.