Alarming: Israeli Demolitions Extended to Areas A and B of the Occupied West Bank

While a ceasefire agreement was reached between Hamas and Israel in Gaza yesterday, Israel is intensifying its annexation efforts in the occupied West Bank. In a deeply concerning trend, the Israeli military has extended its demolition policies to Area A of the West Bank—an area under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority according to the 1993 Oslo Accords. Such developments directly undermine Palestinian sovereignty and signal Israel’s persistent, relentless and unlawful annexation objectives of the occupied West Bank.

Since the events of October 7, 2023, Israel has significantly increased its issuance of demolition orders in Areas A and B, taking advantage of global attention on the genocide in Gaza to expedite its illegal land appropriation, settlement expansion, and the forcible transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel uses two primary military orders to carry out demolitions in Areas A and B. The first involves bypass roads[1]—roads constructed illegally on occupied Palestinian land primarily for settler use and settlement connectivity. The military orders create buffer zones of 75-120 meters, within which Palestinian construction is prohibited. Recently, and using this set of military orders, a five-story building in Beit Jala, located in Area A, has been facing the threat of demolition due to its proximity to a main bypass road in the area. Notably, this building falls outside the designated buffer zone but still received a demolition order from the Israeli Military Commander in August 2023 and is still under the threat of demolition.

The second set of military orders creates a vast buffer zone around the Israeli annexation wall[2], sometimes extending to an area of hundreds of meters. Palestinians are prohibited from building or even being present in these zones under the guise of “security” concerns. The first major use of such orders in Area A occurred in the Wadi Al Hummus neighborhood of Sur Baher, southeast of Jerusalem, where Israel demolished numerous buildings that predated the construction of the annexation wall, for their location within this buffer zone, displacing tens of Palestinian families as a result.

Importantly, since October 7th, 2023, Israel has declared “special emergency” regulations in the occupied West Bank related to the declaration of war, and has used this designation to justify demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures near illegal Israeli settlements, claiming “security” basis. These demolitions, along with the policies of forcible transfer and annexation, represent gross violations of international law. They lead to the systematic displacement and dispossession of Palestinians, depriving them of their fundamental rights, including rights to adequate housing, security, education, healthcare, resources, and self-determination – among many others.

While the international community continues to debate how to respond to Israel’s increasing violations, international law is clear regarding the obligations of third states in cases of grave breaches of international law. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its July 2024 advisory opinion,[3] reaffirmed that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) is unlawful and must end as soon as possible. The ICJ also emphasized the responsibility of all states not to recognize or assist in maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation. Moreover, international organizations, including the UN, its General Assembly and Security Council, are obligated not to recognize the situation as legal and must consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring Israel’s unlawful presence in the oPt.[4]

Among many other international resolutions and calls, the advisory opinion provides an important legal framework for immediate accountability and highlights the persistent need for international engagement in ending Israel’s relentless policies of annexation and systematic violations against the Palestinian land and people based on principles of justice and respect for international law.