UN Condemns Seizure of Palestinian Homes by Israeli Settlers in Jericho
The UN has condemned the takeover of eight Palestinian homes in Jericho by Israeli settlers, who reportedly used live ammunition and assaulted residents.
Highlights
- Approximately 30 Israeli settlers forcibly took control of eight Palestinian residences in Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta, near Jericho.
- The United Nations reported that settlers employed live ammunition and physically attacked Palestinian inhabitants during the incident.
- Dozens of Palestinian families were displaced, with some now lacking adequate shelter.
- The Israeli military has since designated the area as a restricted zone, hindering humanitarian aid efforts.
- Settlers claim legal acquisition of the properties, a claim disputed by Palestinian officials who allege forgery of sale documents.
Details
The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when roughly 30 Israeli settlers arrived to occupy homes in Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta, a locale on the periphery of Jericho. According to the Israeli settlement monitoring group Peace Now, during the takeover, settlers reportedly assaulted and robbed two Israeli activists and shot a Palestinian man in the leg. A representative for the settlers, Hanan Greenwood, stated that the right-wing Israeli organization Nachala had acquired the eight properties with their assistance, expressing his excitement about their presence there.
Conversely, Hussein Hamayel, the governor for the Jericho region, asserted that the land is under the ownership of the Palestinian Authority and is not available for sale. Hamayel dismissed the settlers' claims, stating, "What is being promoted is a forgery, not a sale, and what is being circulated is settler propaganda." The land in question is situated in Area C of the West Bank, a territory that has been under Israeli administration since the Oslo Accords were signed in the 1990s.
Why it matters
This event underscores a worrying escalation in settler violence and displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli settlements, deemed illegal under international law, exacerbate tensions and negatively impact the living conditions of Palestinians. The UN's condemnation and the obstruction of humanitarian access highlight the gravity of the situation and the international community's concerns regarding these actions.