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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Palestinian family says settlers annexed unfinished West Bank home

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Palestinian family alleges that Israeli settlers have seized their unfinished home in the West Bank before construction was complete.
  • The family's appeals to Israeli authorities for assistance have reportedly been unsuccessful, leading to fears the home is lost permanently.
  • This incident is part of a broader pattern of settler expansion and alleged annexation of Palestinian properties, with a UN report noting a surge in settler attacks.

Palestinian homeowner Mohammad Salameh claims a group of Israeli settlers seized his unfinished house in the West Bank, a property intended for his recently engaged son's married life. The house, located near settlements, was allegedly taken over before construction concluded.

Video verified by Reuters shows at least six Israeli citizens on the roof of the two-story house. Salameh stated that his appeals to the IDF and police yielded no help, and he fears the home is permanently lost. He expressed concern that if settlers succeeded in taking one property, others in the area could face the same fate.

The IDF reported that soldiers dispersed a gathering in the area after receiving a report, but did not comment on the settlers' continued presence. Law enforcement regarding settler actions in the West Bank is the responsibility of Israel's police, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Palestinians have long reported issues related to settlement expansion, including damage to farmland, vandalism, and attacks. A UN inquiry noted a significant increase in settler attacks on Palestinian villages and agricultural land since 2023. Residents of Salameh's village, Jalud, highlighted that this incident is particularly concerning because the settlers targeted a house still under construction. They also noted that settlers have moved closer to other houses in the village, including those under construction.

Settlement expansion has accelerated under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. According to Bikom, Israeli officials have issued numerous military orders establishing or expanding settlement jurisdiction areas since October 2023, a number comparable to the previous 22 years combined. For Salameh, the situation is personal; construction on his home stalled after the Gaza war began in 2023 due to financial strain.

Only God knows, if there is law and order then they will leave. If they succeeded with taking one, then the rest will follow.

— Mohammad SalamehThe Palestinian homeowner expressing his fears about the seizure of his unfinished house by Israeli settlers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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