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UN official calls on Israel to halt house demolition in West Bank

Xinhua, February 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

United Nations (UN) humanitarian coordinator in the Palestinian territories Robert Piper called Thursday on Israeli authorities to immediately halt demolitions of Palestinian properties in the West Bank.

Piper said in an emailed press statement that the total demolitions in the first six weeks of 2016 have reached 83, including homes and other structures.

"Over 400 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes equivalent to over half the total number of Palestinians displaced in 2015," said the statement, adding that most of the demolitions take place on "spurious legal grounds that Palestinians do not posses building permits."

According to the latest report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Israel destroyed, dismantled and confiscated a total of 283 homes and other structures, displacing 404 Palestinians, including 219 children.

The demolitions affected another 1,150 Palestinians who lost their sources of income as a result.

Piper called on Israel to respect the right of Palestinians for adequate housing and the right to receive humanitarian assistance.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier said the Israeli planning policies in the West Bank are restrictive and discriminatory. Endit