Israeli forces begin demolishing homes near a military barrier in the occupied East Jerusalem despite international calls to halt the move
This picture taken on July 22, 2019 shows Israeli security forces preparing to demolish the Palestinian buildings still under construction in the Wadi al-Hummus area adjacent to the Palestinian village of Sur Baher in East Jerusalem.
Palestinians fear that the razing of village buildings near the fence will set a precedent for other towns along the route of the barrier, which runs for hundreds of kilometres around and through the Israeli-occupied West Bank.The pending demolition is the latest round of protracted wrangling over the future of Jerusalem, home to more than 500,000 Israelis and 300,000 Palestinians, and sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Israeli forces cut through the wire fence near the village early on Monday, allowing them easier access to the buildings. "Since 2 a.m. they have been evacuating people from their homes by force and they have started planting explosives in the homes they want to destroy. There are hundreds of soldiers here," said Hamada Hamada, a community leader in one of the threatened areas.The sprawling village of Sur Baher straddles the line between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Jamie McGoldrick, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator, and other UN officials called on the Israeli authorities last week to halt the demolition plans. They said 17 Palestinians faced displacement from the plans to level 10 buildings, including dozens of apartments.
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