In the Palestinian Territories, destruction of homes continues

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Since the first cases of coronavirus detected in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, the Israeli authorities have carried out raids on a hundred houses, continued to illegally seize Palestinian land or to demolish certain structures, thus undermining efforts to to stop the pandemic. 

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With our correspondent in Ramallah, Alice Froussard

In the Palestinian Territories, the occupation has not stopped despite the coronavirus. As life slows down, schools are closed and residents no longer leave their homes, Israeli authorities have destroyed nearly 70 structures since the start of the epidemic. "  It is a legal obligation under international law: the occupying force, Israel, is responsible for the health of the occupied, the Palestinians. There they do the opposite,  ”says Karl Schembri of the Norwegian Refugee Council. "  Madness  ".

Houses, at the time when the inhabitants must be confined, tents which served as makeshift hospitals, or even facilities to have access to water were thus destroyed. These “ usual  ” demolitions  constitute an additional stress factor during the pandemic, deplores Yara Asi, political analyst at the think tank Al Shabaka: “  These stories never stop. The occupation is the same as usual. The only difference, perhaps, is that the Israeli authorities wear masks or coveralls. And whatever the demolished structure; from the moment you bring in soldiers and construction equipment, you bring the virus back and you increase the risk of transmission  . ”

In addition to these demolitions, 217 Palestinians were arrested, including 16 minors. And in the past two weeks, around twenty attacks by Israeli settlers have been recorded, reports Amit Gilutz, spokesperson for the NGO B'Tselem. "  The settlers enjoy almost total impunity, which is why this violence increases,  " he denounces. Attacks that generate rallies and hold back efforts to curb the spread.

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• Palestinian Territories
• Israel
• Coronavirus