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UN condemns Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes Top UN humanitarian official calls on the Israeli government to cease its increased practice of displacing Palestinians living in the occupied territories.
The UN has condemned Israel's increasing practice of demolishing homes in the occupied Palestinian territories. On Wednesday,Maxwell Gaylard, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, visited the site in Ras al-Amud where 24 hours earlier a Palestinian home had been demolished. "The destruction of this home and the displacement of these people raise serious concerns with regard to Israel's obligations under international law,” Gaylard said. Thirteen people, including four children, were consequently left homeless. The demolition is the latest in a rising trend which has resulted in 396 Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem and Israeli occupied parts of the West Bank suffering the same fate. In 2009, 275 homes were destroyed by the Israeli government – an increase of almost 45 per cent. This year's demolitions have left 561 people, including 280 children, displaced, and affected the livelihoods of over 3,000. “These actions have a severe social and economic impact on the lives and welfare of Palestinians and increase their dependence on humanitarian assistance. "The Israeli government must take immediate steps to cease demolitions and evictions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” Gaylard said.