Israeli occupation authorities have intensified demolition operations in the Negev (Naqab), leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless after destroying more than 80 homes and a mosque in the village of Al-Dhahiya, while further demolitions were reported near the city of Rahat.

According to the Palestinian Information Center, Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday demolished homes and agricultural structures belonging to the Abu Qurshin family south of Rahat. Occupation police sealed off the area and blocked surrounding roads while the demolitions were carried out.

The latest demolitions followed Monday's large-scale operation in the nearby village of Al-Dhahiya, north of Rahat, where more than 80 homes and the village's mosque were razed, displacing around 400 Palestinians, including large numbers of women and children.

Court ruling preceded demolitions

Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the demolitions were carried out after the Beersheba District Court rejected a petition seeking to postpone the operation. Israeli authorities claimed the buildings had been constructed without permits, while Palestinian residents argued that unrecognized villages in the Negev are systematically denied planning schemes and building permits, leaving families unable to build legally.

Residents said approximately 250 school-age children were among those left without shelter following the demolition of the Abu Al-Wadi family's neighbourhood.

Arab local authorities condemn demolitions

Following the demolitions, the Forum of Arab Local Authorities representing Palestinian communities in the 1948 occupied territories convened an emergency meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation and coordinate support for displaced families.

The forum announced solidarity measures, including opening schools and public facilities to provide temporary shelter for affected residents, particularly women, children and the elderly.

It also condemned the demolitions and forced displacement, warning that the measures threaten the Palestinian presence in the Negev and undermine residents' right to remain on their ancestral lands.

The forum accused Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Amichai Chikli of exploiting the demolitions and the suffering of affected families for political and electoral purposes.

Calls to halt demolitions

The forum said it would submit an urgent appeal to Israel's attorney general seeking an immediate halt to demolition orders and called on political parties to place the housing crisis facing Palestinians in the Negev at the top of their agenda.

It also urged that ending home demolitions and resolving the housing issue become a binding condition in future coalition negotiations.

Friday, 16 October, has been declared a day of solidarity and protest with the people of the Negev. Organizers called for a large Friday prayer to be held on the ruins of Al-Dhahiya village to demonstrate support for displaced families.

Dozens of Palestinian Bedouin villages across the Negev remain unrecognized by Israeli authorities, leaving residents without access to planning approvals, public infrastructure and basic services while exposing them to repeated demolition orders.(ILKHA)