Israeli troops arrest 8 Palestinians and distribute demolition orders in the West Bank

[News_Editor]

Israeli troops arrest 8 Palestinians and distribute demolition orders in the West Bank

2011-03-08 22:47:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

WEST BANK (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli troops arrested eight Palestinian civilians during morning invasions on Tuesday targeting a number of West Bank communities, and distributed orders to demolish eight structures in the area, Palestine News Network reported.

Witnesses said that troops invaded the village of Beit Omar in southern West Bank and searched a number of homes, and then arrested the civilians. The Israeli army radio announced that all eight men were moved to a detention center for questioning and said they were all on its wanted list. 

The Israeli army also ordered residents of the village of Bartaa in the northern West Bank to demolish eight structures, including four homes and four animal farmhouses, because they lacked proper permits. Bartaa was left on the Israeli side of the wall surrounding the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Villagers told local media that Israeli troops invade their homes on daily basis in an attempt to force them to leave.

Israel on Monday ordered to demolish all illegal West Bank outposts on private Palestinian land by the end of 2011. Israeli Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser said that the decision was made in response to a petition submitted by the non-governmental organization Peace Now. The group demanded Israel to put into effect a demarcation order already issued on six West Bank outposts. According to a Peace Now's count, the number of outposts that requires removal is 45, not 6.

Earlier this month, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the immediate dismantle of all illegal outposts built on private land, with the exception of a residence owned by slain Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer Eliraz Peretz. Israel has not set a timetable for the demolitions to begin. According to the country, more demolitions of illegal structures were carried out against Israelis than among Palestinians in the West Bank.

On February 18, the UN Security Council held a vote on a resolution to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem area. Fourteen Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution but the U.S. voted against it.

Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in the disputed East Jerusalem and West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks with Israel. However, the Jewish country continued construction despite the condemnation from the international community.

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