Israel razed 1,000 West Bank Palestinian homes, gave permits for only 33 in last half-decade: report

Israel demolished more than 1,000 Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank between 2017 and 2021, the country's defence ministry has reportedly said.

Over the five-year period, Israeli forces destroyed 1,169 Palestinian homes in the West Bank’s Area C, The Times of Israel reported Friday, citing defence ministry data.

In comparison, 487 Israeli settler homes were destroyed in Area C in the same time period.

Only 33 building permits were issued for Palestinians in those five years, the report said.

Area C makes up most of the West Bank and is controlled by Israel under the Oslo Accords.

Israel often rejects Palestinian requests for building permits in Area C.

Between 2016 and 2020, 99.1 percent of Palestinian requests for building permits were rejected, the report said, citing data provided by the Israeli army’s Civil Administration.

The administration says that Palestinians request permits after they have already begun constructing their homes. Israel frequently destroys Palestinian homes under this pretext.

Israel approved the construction of more than 7,000 housing units in the West Bank between 2017 and 2020, according to the anti-settlement monitor Peace Now.

Israel invaded the West Bank in 1967, and has occupied it ever since.

Approximately 330,000 Palestinians live in Area C, as well as an estimated 450,000 Israeli settlers. 

Palestinians in the West Bank often face intimidation and violence from settlers.