West Bank: Israel must abide by International Humanitarian Law

Jerusalem/Tel Aviv (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned by Israel's decision to demolish private houses and other structures in Khan al Ahmar village in Area C of the West Bank.

"The planned demolitions will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of this community," said David Quesne, head of the ICRC's mission in Jerusalem. "As long as zoning and planning policies in the West Bank fail to serve the population living under occupation, they cannot be used as justification for destruction of property."

As the occupying power in the West Bank, Israel is bound by international humanitarian law. It has a duty to ensure the protection, security, and welfare of the people living under occupation and guarantee that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own laws, culture, and traditions.

For further information, please contact:

Alyona Synenko (English, Russian, French, and Spanish), ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 6019150
Yehonatan Saban (Hebrew, English) ICRC Tel Aviv, tel: + 972 52 275 7517
Tamar Abu Hanna (Arabic, English), ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 9148