• Violation: Demolition of agricultural structures under the pretext of lacking permits.
• Location: Khirbet Al-Tawil, east of Aqraba town, Nablus Governorate.
• Date of Violation: January 8, 2025.
• Perpetrating Party: The so-called Israeli Civil Administration.
• Affected Party: Several families in the community.

Details of the Violation:

For the second time in less than a month, the "Tel Al-Khashaba" area, which is an extension of Khirbet Al-Tawil east of Aqraba, witnessed new demolitions by the Israeli occupation forces.

On the morning of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a building inspector from the so-called Israeli Civil Administration, accompanied by a large force of Israeli occupation soldiers, stormed the area.

The occupation authorities carried out extensive demolitions at the site, targeting residential and agricultural tents, some of which were donated by the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society after the previous demolitions in the area.

The following table details the damages based on field monitoring at the site of the violation:

Farmer Youssef Atta Bani-Munia stated:

"The occupation destroyed everything and left us with nothing. We are now in the lambing season, which is the most important season for us since we rely on sheep farming for our livelihood. In reality, all the sheep barns have been demolished, and there is no place to shelter the sheep, not even for our children. They chase us day and night, despite the fact that I am a resident of the area and have lived here for many years."

Khirbet Al-Tawil:

Khirbet Al-Tawil encompasses approximately 30,000 dunams of agricultural and pastoral land, including about 8,000 dunams of sandy mountainous terrain unsuitable for cultivation. Around 15,000 dunams are used for field crops and grazing, while 7,000 dunams are under Israeli control, with settlements established on these lands to serve the occupation’s settlement projects.

A small portion of these lands falls under what is known as Area B, while the majority is classified as Area C. Some of these lands host Israeli settlements, such as:

• Gitit Settlement(Established in 1973, with a population of 191 settlers as of 2005. It spans a total area of 1,720 dunams and is located 37 km from the Green Line).
• Ma’ale Ephraim Settlement( Established in 1970, with a population of 1,423 settlers as of 2005. It spans a total area of 4,778 dunams).
• Itamar Settlement Extension( Established in 1984, with a population of 651 settlers as of 2005. It spans a total area of 7,189 dunams and is located 28 km from the Green Line).

It is worth noting that families in Khirbet Al-Tawil rely primarily on agriculture and livestock farming. The population is variable, as many families reside there seasonally. During the summer and spring, they live in Khirbet Al-Tawil, while in the winter, they move to Aqraba town, leaving their homes and barns in the area to return later.

Legal Commentary:

The actions of the occupying authorities in demolishing Palestinian homes and structures are violations of international and humanitarian law, and they infringe upon the fundamental right to adequate housing, which is guaranteed by international law and treaties. These violations are outlined in the following articles:

• Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that "the destruction and seizure of property on a large scale, without military necessity and in an unlawful and arbitrary manner" are serious violations of the Convention.
• Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1948) prohibits the destruction of property, stating that the occupying power cannot destroy any private property unless it is absolutely necessary for military operations.
• Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that "no protected person may be punished for an offense they did not personally commit."
• Paragraph (g) of Article 23 of the Hague Regulations (1907) warns against the destruction or seizure of enemy property, allowing it only when it is "imperatively demanded by the necessities of war."
• Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10, 1948) declares that "no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their property."
•  مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" SPERAC IV - FCDO
  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of Land Research Center and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project donor; the Norwegian Refugee Council.
  إخلاء المسؤولية: الآراء ووجهات النظر الواردة في هذا التقرير هي آراء ووجهات نظر مركز أبحاث الأراضي ولا تعكس بالضرورة وجهات نظر أو مواقف الجهة المانحة للمشروع؛ المجلس النرويجي. للاجئين
•