BETHLEHEM, (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished two homes and four agricultural rooms in the village of Wadi Rahal, south of Bethlehem, on Thursday in what local residents and rights groups describe as part of an ongoing policy of forced displacement in areas classified as “C” under Israeli occupation control.
According to local sources, a large contingent of Israeli occupation forces, accompanied by bulldozers and military vehicles, stormed the village and launched widespread demolition operations. Four agricultural rooms used for storing farming tools and materials were razed during the assault.
The same sources reported that military bulldozers also demolished two residential homes, each approximately 200 square meters in size. One belonged to Ahmad al-Badawi, and the other to the Saad family.
Wadi Rahal is one of several Palestinian villages at risk of land confiscation and settlement expansion due to its proximity to the illegal “Afrata” settlement, which was built on Palestinian-owned land south of Bethlehem.
The village has frequently been targeted by IOF demolitions and land-clearing operations aimed at erasing the Palestinian presence.
Data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority indicates that during the first half of this year, Israeli authorities demolished 588 Palestinian structures, displacing 843 residents, including 411 children.
Additionally, 556 other structures received demolition orders, including 322 inhabited homes, 18 uninhabited dwellings, 151 agricultural structures, and 97 essential facilities classified as sources of livelihood.
