Palestinians say not even caves safe from Israeli bulldozers
Residents of the West Bank village of Farasin are living in fear of displacement after receiving demolition notices for their houses, tents and even caves.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Ahmed Amarneh, a farmer in the village of Farasin, lives in a state of constant anxiety. He fears the Israeli authorities will demolish the cave enclosure where he and his pregnant wife and young child live. The Israeli Civil Administration had sent him a demolition notice on July 29.
The village, near the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank, is situated on hills full of ancient caves and ruins — and some aged infrastructure such as a well that is more than 200 years old. Residents still use it for drinking water and livestock.
The administration delivered 36 other demolition notices concerning residential and service facilities, including two wells and livestock and poultry barns.
Israel prevents Palestinians from building in the area known as Area C, which represents 61% of the West Bank and is subject to Israeli security and administrative control under the Oslo Accords.
