Settlers Demolish Jericho Homes; Israel Accused of Complicity

Israeli settlers demolished at least 15 Palestinian homes and agricultural structures in the village of Ein al-Hilweh, located near Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on January 29, 2024. The demolition, carried out using bulldozers, left families displaced and their belongings destroyed, according to reports from Palestinian news agencies and human rights organizations. The targeted structures included homes, animal shelters, and agricultural sheds, impacting approximately 80 individuals, including children.

Palestinian officials and human rights groups have accused the Israeli government of complicity in these actions, citing a lack of intervention by Israeli security forces during the demolitions. They argue that the Israeli military's presence, or deliberate absence, enables such acts by settlers. The demolitions are part of a broader pattern of settler violence and land confiscation in the West Bank, which has intensified since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and the subsequent escalation of conflict.

Ein al-Hilweh is a small Palestinian community that has been subjected to repeated demolitions and settler harassment. The village is located in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli administrative and security control, meaning that demolitions of Palestinian structures typically require Israeli permits, which are rarely granted. The absence of permits for the demolished homes suggests that the demolitions were carried out without legal authorization from the Israeli Civil Administration, or that the settlers acted with impunity.

International law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits the destruction of private property in occupied territories unless absolutely necessary for military operations. Human rights organizations have documented a significant increase in settler-initiated violence and property destruction in the West Bank since October 2023. These incidents contribute to the displacement of Palestinian communities and the expansion of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported a substantial rise in demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures across the West Bank in recent months, with many attributed to settler violence. The lack of accountability for perpetrators of settler violence remains a significant concern.