Violation: Destruction of a paved road.

Date of violation: 01/10/2024.

Location: Wadi al-Amayer - Samu' Town / Hebron Governorate.

Perpetrator: Israeli Civil Administration.

Affected party: Citizens of Samu' Town.

Description:

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Israeli occupation authorities demolished a paved road in Samu' town, south of Hebron, under the pretext of its construction without a permit and its location in an area classified as "C," which they claim to control and manage.

At around 10:00 AM, a force from the Israeli army, along with the so-called Civil Administration’s Building and Planning Department, supported by an excavator and bulldozer, entered the (Wadi al-Amayer) neighborhood south of the town. They proceeded to demolish the road and remove its asphalt layer.

The Engineering Department of Samu' Municipality explained to the researcher from the LRC that:

The occupation authorities demolished a section of the road approximately 500 meters long, which serves around 17 homes and facilities along its sides. Additionally, it provides access to about 150 dunams of agricultural land directly adjacent to the road, including approximately 20 dunams planted with fruitful olive trees. The road also connects Samu' town to some residential communities located behind the bypass road (317), such as Khirbet Ghuwein.

The destruction of the road and the removal of its asphalt layer come as winter approaches, making it likely that citizens using this road will face significant difficulties crossing it due to mud and sludge resulting from the demolition.

The Municipality of Samu' had initially opened and prepared this road in 2010. In 2022, it was paved with funding from the Islamic Development Bank and contributions from the municipality. The road was considered part of the town's infrastructure, aimed at providing services to citizens to facilitate their movement and transportation. It was also one of the activities and responsibilities of Palestinian local authorities.

The Al-Samu' Municipality had worked on constructing and rehabilitating this road in 2010. In 2022, it paved the road with funding from the Islamic Development Bank and contributions from the municipality itself. The road was considered an important piece of infrastructure in the town, aimed at providing services to citizens, facilitating their movement, and enhancing mobility. It was also part of the activities and responsibilities of Palestinian local authorities.

However, on November 28, 2022, the occupation authorities issued an order to demolish the road, claiming it was constructed without a permit from them. In response, the municipality, through the legal organization "Sant Ief" filed a legal objection against the demolition order. The legal organization exhausted all legal procedures before the occupation courts, which insisted on executing the demolition order. As a result, the authorities carried out the demolition and destroyed the road.

About the Town of Al-Samu' [1]:

Al-Samu' is located 18 km south of the city of Hebron. It is bordered to the north by the town of Yatta, Al-Manthar, and Aziz; to the west by the ruins of Deir Shams; to the east by the settlement of Susya; and to the south by Khirbet  Al-Haraba and Khirbet Ghuwein. The town's population reached 25,340 as of 2014.

The total area of the town is 45,250 dunams, of which 2,786 dunams have been confiscated by the occupation. Below is a detailed breakdown:

• Israeli Settlements:
  Israeli settlements have seized 284 dunams of the town's land for the following settlements:
  • Shim'a Settlement: Established in 1985, it confiscated 153 dunams and is home to 357 settlers.
  • Shali Livna Settlement: Established in 1989, it confiscated 37 dunams and houses 438 settlers.
  • Aslin Settlement: Established in 2004, it confiscated 94 dunams.

Bypass roads have confiscated 1,610 dunams for roads numbered 60, 317, and 3178.
 The apartheid wall has confiscated 892 dunams under its path and isolated 1,065 dunams behind it. The wall's total length in this area is 18,215 meters.

Land Classification According to the Oslo Accords:

Area A: 12,702 dunams.

Area B: 9,947 dunams.

Area C: 22,479 dunams.

Demolition of Housing and Structures Under International Law:

The demolition of Palestinian properties is a violation of all international laws, treaties, and conventions, most notably:

• Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their property.

• Article 23 of The Hague Convention (1907):

It is forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property unless such destruction or seizure is imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.

• Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949):

The destruction of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the state, public authorities, or social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited unless absolutely necessary by military operations.

[1] Source: GIS Unit – LRC.

مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" SPERAC V - 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