UN relief official calls for end to punitive demolitions in occupied West Bank

The UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Robert Piper, on Monday called for an end to punitive demolitions in the occupied West Bank, a UN spokesman said.

Piper said that the family homes of five alleged perpetrators of attacks against Israelis have been demolished by Israeli security forces in the past two days, Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"Initial assessments indicate 20 people, including eight children, were rendered homeless by the demolition of the five homes."

"The most recent operation took place this morning in Qalandiya refugee camp," he said. "Initial information indicates that two Palestinians were killed and nine others were injured in clashes protesting the demolition."

"Piper said that punitive demolitions are a form of collective penalty, as they effectively punish not only the alleged perpetrators but also people for acts they have not individually committed," the spokesman said.

"Collective penalties, he notePd, are prohibited under international law and are inherently unjust, punishing innocent people for the acts of others," Dujarric said. Enditem