Bedouin homes in the Negev demolished for the 68th time

Ten homes in the Bedouin village Al-Araqib in the Negev Desert were demolished by Israeli authorities for the 68th time yesterday.

The Yuav unit, created especially for house demolitions, entered with bulldozers and trucks; the community were given no warning.

Israeli forces reduce the village of Al-Araqib to rubble every two weeks, claiming it is illegal. The families there have rebuilt their homes every time.

On the same day five other houses in the Negev were destroyed. One house was severely damaged and a further two demolished in Al-Zarora; one house was destroyed in Ksaife, one in Abu Krinad and one in the newly recognised town of Um Beten.

Khalil El-Amour, a field researcher at the human rights organisation Adalah told MEMO that following demolitions families often make temporary shelters from plastic and wood, or find shelter with neighbours or friends. The residents of Al-Araqib have built a makeshift home in a nearby cemetery.

El-Amour explained that every year approximately 1,000 families lose their homes in this manner in the Negev. Villagers are not given prior warning and are unable to make claims for their losses.

See more:

• Israeli occupation destroys Arab village in Negev for 66th time
• Bedouin village destroyed by Israelis for 61st time
• Israeli forces destroy Palestinian village for the 48th time
• Israel demolishes Bedouin village for the 42nd time

file photos

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