Policies and practices implemented by the Israeli authorities, citing security concerns, have resulted in the forcible transfer of Palestinians from their homes in Hebron city, reducing a once thriving area to a ‘ghost town’, according to a press release by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Israel exercises direct control over the 20% of Hebron City, known as H2, which is home to approximately 40,000 Palestinians and a few hundred Israeli settlers living in five settlement compounds, noted the release, maintaining that the living conditions of those Palestinians who remain in the closed and restricted areas have been gradually undermined, including with regard to basic services and sources of livelihood.
Just released: fact sheet on the #humanitarian impact of Israeli settlements in #Hebron city: https://t.co/Jco7cjjYym pic.twitter.com/PrFmTudQR0
— OCHA oPt (Palestine) (@ochaopt) March 6, 2018
It said, the isolation of the settlement area and its surroundings from the rest of the city has severely disrupted the family and social life of the Palestinians living there and undermined their dignity and psycho-social well-being.
“Attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers have been key components of the coercive environment exerted on Palestinians living in the vicinity of the settlement area.”
Taken in Hebron today (Credit: Flash90) pic.twitter.com/rETxUoj4BX
— Jacob Magid (@JacobMagid) March 1, 2018
As the occupying power, Israel must protect Palestinian civilians in Hebron city, ensure that their humanitarian needs are met, and that they are able to exercise their human rights, including their right to freedom of movement and to be free from discrimination, stressed the release.
(Wafa, PC, Social Media)
