The dozers of Israeli occupation municipality demolished on April 4, 2017 14 apartments,  agricultural room (12m²) and a 500 meters retaining wall that surrounded a parcel belonging to Abu Sbeitan family in Za'ayyem town in Jerusalem. The demolition was justified by the occupation on the claim of   "unlicensed construction"

It should be noted that the demolished apartments are founded in three buildings, details are below:

• First building:  it consisted of two apartments (120m² each) and is owned by Othman Sbeitan.
• Second building: it is of three floors (six apartments, 100m² each) and is owned by Nidal Al-Shibir
Third building: it consisted of three floors (two apartments per floor100m² each) and is owned by Ayman Al-Dayeh. Citizen Nidal told Land Research Center the following: " In 2014, I have constructed a three floor building (six apartments) so that my brothers and I move to it".

Here are some information about the brothers of the affected owner:

He also added:" The demolition occurred without any previous warning. A force from the occupation arrived at the location accompanied by dozers and brought down the buildings on the claim of unlicensed construction"

Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including:

Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”

Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.”

Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”

Section 1, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966): “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.

This case study is part of Kan'aan Project