953 Palestinian structures demolished by Israel in 2022: EU

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Israeli authorities demolished 953 Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank last year, according to the European Union on Tuesday.

"In 2022, a total of 953 structures were demolished or seized throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," the EU Representative Office for the Palestinians said in a statement.

The number of demolitions constitutes "the highest number recorded since 2016,” the office said.

According to the statement, more than 80% of the demolished structures - 781 structures - were located in Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israel's full military control, displacing nearly 1,031 Palestinians.

"Of the structures targeted in the twelve-month reporting period, 101 structures were funded by the EU or EU member states (valued at €337,019), representing the third highest financial injury since 2016," the statement said.

The EU statement also cited 849 settler attacks against Palestinians in 2022.

There was no comment from Israeli authorities on the EU statement.

Israel widely uses the pretext of lack of construction permits to demolish Palestinian structures, especially in Area C.

Under the 1995 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, was divided into three portions – Area A, B, and C.

*Writing by Ahmed Asma