EU: Israeli demolitions left 1,221 Palestinians homeless

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory – European Union diplomats say Israel demolished 866 structures in 2016, leaving 1,221 Palestinians homeless, almost half of them children.

The figure includes some 536,000 euros ($563,000) of EU-funded structures given to Palestinians in the West Bank, which the diplomats say Israel destroyed or confiscated.

The demolitions took place in the 60 per cent of the West Bank that remain under full Israeli control. Israel has imposed severe restrictions on Palestinian development in this area, home to dozens of Israeli settlements.

The EU statement sent to reporters Thursday said the diplomats “deplore” the demolitions.

COGAT, the Israeli defence body dealing with Palestinian civil affairs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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