Israel demolishes more homes in Jordan Valley

Israeli military bulldozers demolished on Monday morning seven Palestinian homes in Khirbet Irza in the northern Jordan Valley in the east of the West Bank, under the pretext that these houses were built without permits on military zones.

Aref Draghma, head of Qarawi Al-Maleh and Al-Madareb Al-Badaweya council, said, “Israeli forces stormed the area and proceeded to demolish the seven Palestinian homes built of tin and tents.”

He added that inhabitants of these areas have been there since before the Israeli occupation of 1967, pointing out that Israel seeks to displace residents of the Jordan Valley and replace them with settlers.

Roughly 10,000 Palestinians live in the Jordan Valley in houses built of tin shacks and tents. Israel prevents them from building houses. They rely on livestock and agriculture.

The Jordan Valley has 21 Israeli settlements with an area of 56,000 acres. Israel plans to increase this area to 80,000 acres. Approximately 90% of the Jordan Valley is controlled by Israel. The Jordan Valley constitutes 30 per cent of the West Bank and is the richest in resources.

Israel views this region as an economic and security reserve and seeks to maintain its security presence there as part of any resolution with the Palestinians. However, Palestinians insist they will not build a state without the Jordan Valley.