Kathmandu— Adel Daraghmeh and his family are now sleeping on mattresses laid directly onto the dusty ground in the occupied West Bank after an Israeli bulldozer destroyed their home days ago, despite what they believed was protection from a court order. The demolition occurred amidst escalating tensions and ahead of upcoming Israeli elections, leaving the family without shelter under sweltering heat and cut off from vital resources like water and medication. The incident highlights a pattern of demolitions impacting Palestinian communities in Area C of the West Bank, where navigating complex planning regulations is nearly impossible, and even legal protections appear increasingly fragile.

Demolition and Displacement

The Daraghmeh family’s home was demolished on July 28th, with Israeli soldiers, settlers, and Civil Administration officials arriving with a bulldozer and other vehicles. Kheirieh Daraghmeh, Adel's wife, presented legal papers demonstrating an existing Israeli Supreme Court order suspending the demolition while their case progressed; however, authorities proceeded anyway. She recalls being told she had “five minutes to clear the whole area” before the bulldozing began, collapsing shortly after as the home was destroyed around her.

Escalating Restrictions and Land Loss

The demolition of Adel’s home follows a similar incident earlier in July involving his son Hilal’s house. Beyond the loss of their homes, the family has seen their access to land restricted by a settler-built fence, cutting them off from grazing areas used for generations. An Israeli flag flown nearby serves as a constant reminder of the changing landscape and increasing encroachment on their traditional lands. Adel manages diabetes requiring daily medication, which was also destroyed in the demolition, compounding the family’s hardship.

Systemic Issues and Legal Challenges

Tawfiq Jabareen, the Daraghmeh family's lawyer, argues that the demolitions demonstrate a disregard for legal rulings. He notes that while the prosecution initially claimed Hilal’s demolition was a mistake, the pattern has repeated itself with Adel’s home. Allegra Pacheco, chief of party of the West Bank Protection Consortium, explains that the planning system in Area C is deliberately discriminatory, making it nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain building permits while Israeli settlements are freely constructed. She argues that even appealing demolition orders is futile within a framework designed to disadvantage Palestinians.

Widespread Displacement and Humanitarian Impact

The Daraghmeh family’s plight reflects a broader trend of forced displacement in the occupied West Bank. According to the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 6,200 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced since January 2023, with more than 907 structures demolished this year alone. The family now relies on assistance from relatives and struggles to provide basic necessities as they face an uncertain future.

The Daraghmeh family remains in makeshift shelter, dependent on the support of their community while facing ongoing restrictions and the threat of further displacement. Israeli authorities have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these events.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.