Israel demolishes over 1,500 Palestinian structures in West Bank

In 2024, Israeli forces have engaged in a significant demolition campaign in the occupied West Bank, targeting Palestinian-owned structures. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), a total of 1,528 structures were destroyed, displacing 3,637 Palestinians. The demolitions included a variety of infrastructures, with a notable number of inhabited residences, agricultural facilities, and livelihood-related assets such as shops and businesses destroyed. The concentration of these demolitions has been particularly severe in areas surrounding the city of Tulkarm, which has experienced increased rates of Israeli raids and housing demolitions over the past year. The Tulkarm refugee camp recorded the highest number of demolitions, with 171 structures affected, followed by the Nur Shams refugee camp with 118, and the Jenin refugee camp with 83 demolitions. A total of 40,557 Palestinians have been impacted by these actions since January, highlighting the extensive reach of the demolition policy. Critics argue that these demolitions are part of a systematic and deliberate effort to displace the Palestinian population, especially following the escalation of conflict after the October Hamas-led attack and Israel’s subsequent military actions in Gaza. According to a group of UN experts, these demolitions constitute direct attacks on the homes, schools, and livelihoods of the Palestinian people, undermining their right to self-determination and threatening their existence. The operations have been overseen by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who holds significant influence over West Bank authorities. Opponents of the demolitions maintain that Israel often justifies these actions under the pretext of construction without permits, a requirement that is nearly impossible for most Palestinians to satisfy. This ongoing situation has raised serious humanitarian concerns and has prompted calls from international bodies for action to stop the demolitions, which are viewed as collective punishment against Palestinians and a violation of their rights. As the situation continues to evolve, many observers remain watchful of the implications these actions have for the already precarious living situation of Palestinians in the West Bank.