Israel again demolishes Palestinian village

Jerusalem: Israel on Wednesday demolished the Bedouin herding community of Khirbet Humsu in the occupied West Bank, the latest chapter in the military’s attempts to uproot the Palestinian village of makeshift homes.

At least 65 people, including 35 children, were displaced, said Christopher Holt of the West Bank Protection Consortium, a group of international aid agencies supported by the European Union that is assisting the residents.

The demolitions left the



villagers, who earn their livelihood primarily by herding some 4,000 sheep, homeless for at least the fifth time in the past year.

The EU in the past has helped residents rebuild after previous demolitions.

Holt, who was in the area, said the army arrived without warning at 9 am, asked the residents to move, and when they refused, began flattening the makeshift homes. “It’s a very serious escalation,” he said.