Israeli forces raze homes in Bethlehem towns, leaving families homeless

Israeli occupation forces demolished two inhabited homes on Wednesday in the West Bank towns of Nahalin and Za'atara in the Bethlehem governorate. One house, a two‑storey 340 m² residence belonging to Adil Hassan Azazma, and another belonging to Raed Hassan Abu Riaa were destroyed by bulldozers, displacing a seven‑person family. The operations are part of a systematic demolition policy in Area C, where Israelis cite missing building permits.

The demolitions raise the total for the first half of 2026 to 341 demolition orders affecting 740 structures, impacting over 900 Palestinians, including many children and women. Settler attacks accompanied the demolitions, with arson and property damage reported in several West Bank villages such as Jalq, Tarmasaya, and Betah, further escalating tensions in the region.