Israel destroys 11 Palestinian homes on outskirts of Jerusalem

Qalandiya: Israeli authorities early today destroyed 11 Palestinian homes in an area on the outskirts of Jerusalem divided from the city by Israel's separation wall, residents and an NGO said.
A convoy of Israeli security vehicles and bulldozers carried out the overnight demolitions in Qalandiya,presumably because authorities allege the owners did not have building permits.

Israeli authorities did not respond to requests for information on the demolitions.

Two of the homes are considered part of the occupied West Bank and nine part of annexed east Jerusalem, Israeli NGO Ir Amim said. Two of the east Jerusalem homes were inhabited, it said.

Clashes broke out during the demolitions, leaving several Palestinians wounded, according to the NGO.

Among the structures destroyed was a two-storey building, leaving 44 people homeless, including 11 children, said Ir Amim.

"The family claims to have received a building permit in 1983 from the Jerusalem municipality covering an area of 4,000 square meters, only half of which has been developed," it said.

Mohammed al-Jouri, a resident whose home was destroyed, said Israeli authorities "warned us Monday afternoon that they were going to destroy our houses, some which were still under construction."
Piles of rubble and metal rods could be seen in the area today where houses previously stood.

Residents sought to collect mattresses, electronic equipment and furniture still intact.

Imad Abu Shalbek, whose brother's home was destroyed, said a notice had been posted by authorities behind the house that they had not seen until after the demolition.

Shalbek was planning to take in his nephews for the time being.

"The father invested all his life and his savings in that house and now he doesn't know where he is going to go," Shalbek said.

Israel this year has ramped up demolitions of Palestinian structures it says lack permits.

Permits are however nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain in the part of the West Bank under full Israeli control, which amounts to some 60 percent of the territory, UN officials say. (AFP)