Israel’s war on homes: From Hebron to Gaza and southern Lebanon

Palestinian families in Hebron were ordered to leave their homes after Israel imposed a siege on October 23, following the killing of two Israeli soldiers near the city. Nearly 5,000 Palestinians have been displaced in just over a week, according to UNRWA, which described the measures as collective punishment in violation of international law. OCHA says Israeli forces demolished 2,491 buildings in the Hebron governorate between 2009 and the start of the siege, while about 400 structures have been demolished in Masafer Yatta over 15 years. Israel’s restrictive building-permit system leaves many Palestinian structures vulnerable to demolition.